Montana GOP calls for Sen. Ellsworth's resignation following controversial business deal

The Montana Republican Party called for Hamilton Republican Sen. Jason Ellsworth to resign Sunday, a day before the Senate is set to vote on whether or not to expel the senator.

Ellsworth, former president of the Montana Senate, used leftover committee funds that he had control over at the time to contract his friend and former business associate, Bryce Eggleston, to track the implementation of a package of bills after the 2025 session. That $170,100 contract was cancelled before Eggleston could receive any money, but the Legislative Audit Division found the contract was a waste of state resources and that Ellsworth abused his government position in the process.

The Montana Senate voted to convene an ethics committee to investigate Ellsworth's actions, which concluded last week and produced a 22-page report that was narrowly confined to one legislative ethics statue. The report did not include any recommendations to the Senate on how to address the matter.

"In light of the findings outlined in the recent Senate Ethics Committee report, the Montana Republican Party believes that Senator Jason Ellsworth is no longer fit to serve in the Montana State Senate," the press release from the state party reads.

What the ethics committee's 22-page report on Ellsworth's contract does and doesn't say

"We urge Senator Ellsworth to resign voluntarily in order to restore trust in the Senate and allow for a focus on the work that lies ahead for the people of Montana," the release continued. "Should Senator Ellsworth choose not to resign, the Montana Republican Party will fully support the Senate's decision to expel him, ensuring that the integrity of the Senate remains intact."

The state party's executive board voted unanimously to call for Ellsworth's resignation, according to the press release. Ellsworth did not respond to request for comment.

The statement comes one day before the Senate is set to vote on a punishment for Ellsworth, which can range from taking no disciplinary action to expelling him from his position.

There appears to be an appetite favoring expulsion among most Republicans, but that requires a two-thirds majority, and it's unclear if they have the votes. Democrats and a group of nine Republicans, which includes Ellsworth, have formed an alliance on multiple key votes this legislative session and are said to still be weighing how to vote on the matter.

GOP Senate probing $170K state contract legislator quietly awarded to business associate

The nine Republicans' move to align themselves with Democrats angered the Montana GOP, and the party said in late February that it will "consider additional steps to address the situation" if the nine "continue to damage the integrity of the Republican majority."

Ellsworth has been participating in the legislative session remotely since early March, which his attorney indicated in a document was due to health issues.

The Montana Department of Justice is currently investigating any criminal wrongdoing in connection with the contract following a referral by the Audit Division.