US EditionThree Republican state senators sue the Montana GOP after months of infighting
LEWIS AND CLARK COUNTY, MONTANA, AUG 6 – The senators allege the Montana GOP violated party rules and legislative immunity by excluding them from leadership votes after they supported bipartisan legislation in 2025, the lawsuit states.
- This week, three Republican lawmakers—Jason Ellsworth, Denley Loge, and Shelley Vance—filed a lawsuit against the Montana GOP after being stripped of their voting rights at the party’s June 28 convention in Helena.
- The lawsuit arose from ongoing factional disputes during the 2025 legislative session, where nine GOP senators formed a bipartisan working majority, frequently opposing party leadership.
- At the convention, delegates elected Art Wittich chair and barred the nine senators from voting, alleging they removed themselves from the party by siding with Democrats.
- Ellsworth said the suit asks for restoration of voting rights, a new party leadership election including the nine, and claims the party violated governing rules and legislative immunity.
- The legal challenge suggests mounting divisions in Montana GOP may prompt a judge-ordered new election and reevaluation of member rights amid leadership struggles.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Daily Montanan
KPVICensured, disenfranchised Republican lawmakers sue state GOP
Senator Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton, watches a vote during the Senate Floor Session on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. (Nathaniel Bailey for the Daily Montanan)Three Montana Republican lawmakers have sued the state GOP, alleging their rights as voting members of the party were wrongly terminated and asking for the party to be forced to re-elect its officers. The lawsuit, filed by Jason Ellsworth of Hamilton, Denley Loge of St. Regis and Shelley V…
Disenfranchised at convention, Republican lawmakers sue Montana GOP
Republican legislators disenfranchised at the June Montana GOP officers’ convention are asking a judge to restore their voting privileges and force a new election for party leadership. State senators Jason Ellsworth, Denley Loge and Shelley Vance weren’t allowed to vote…
Bozeman Daily Chronicle
KULR-TVDisenfranchised at convention, Sen. Shelley Vance and 2 other Republicans sue MTGOP
State senators Shelley Vance, Jason Ellsworth and Denley Loge weren’t allowed to vote for Montana Republican Party leadership at the June 28 convention in Helena.
Disenfranchised at convention, Republican lawmakers sue MTGOP
Republican legislators disenfranchised at the June Montana GOP officers’ convention are asking a judge to restore their voting privileges and force a new election for party leadership. State senators Jason Ellsworth, Denley Loge and Shelley Vance weren’t allowed to vote for Montana Republican Party leadership at the June 28 convention in Helena, where a new party Chair Art Wittich and Vice Chair Stacy Zinn were elected. Ellsworth, of Hamilton; …
Three state senators sue Montana GOP over removal from party convention
In the latest sign of an ongoing rift within the Montana Republican Party, three state senators are now suing the party, after they were kicked out of the state GOP convention in June.(Watch the video for more on what led up to the lawmakers' lawsuit.) Three state senators sue Montana GOP over removal from party conventionSens. Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton; Denley Loge, R-St. Regis; and Shelley Vance, R-Belgrade, filed suit this week in state dis…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 83% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
