Reject outside influence in GOP primaries | Lola Sheldon-Galloway

Election after election, voters send Republican majorities to Helena expecting conservative leadership, only to watch government continue to grow, spending increase, and property taxes get shifted around instead of truly reduced. And now during this election cycle, conservatives across Montana are watching a coordinated effort by liberal billionaires, unions, and Democrat political organizations to reshape the Montana Republican Party from within.

Liberal, out-of-state organizations like Conservatives4MT are spending heavily to influence Montana Republican primaries. These are the same organizations that routinely support Democrats and liberal causes nationwide. In just one month, liberal interests spent more than $620,000 supporting their preferred candidates, including Llew Jones, David Bedey, Brad Barker, and Cascade County’s Ed Buttrey. The goal is clear: influence Montana politics by interfering in Republican primaries and promoting candidates they believe will work with Democrats.

While conservatives across Montana have been speaking out against the dysfunction in Helena and condemning outside liberal influence in our elections, Ed Buttrey has embraced the support of liberal billionaires and Democrat-aligned organizations. Now, SEIU 775 and AFL-CIO, liberal unions from out of state, are paying doorknockers to campaign for him and others like him: David Bedey, Michelle Binkley…and Democratic congressional candidate Sam Forstag.

Recently, the Montana Republican Party condemned candidates like Ed for collaborating with these liberal groups and officially rescinded his recognition as a Republican, while also placing his primary opponent, Steven Galloway, on the Republican “Honor Roll” for pledging to uphold the principles and priorities of Republican voters.

When Democrat donors, liberal unions, and out-of-state political groups become the driving force behind a “Republican” candidate’s campaign, voters have every right to question where that candidate’s loyalties truly lie. Republican primary voters should ask a simple question: Why are Democrat-aligned organizations investing so much money, time, and effort into these candidates? The answer is obvious: they believe candidates like Llew Jones and Ed Buttrey will help advance Democratic policies. Frankly, if candidates like Ed Buttrey rely on Democrat support to win elections, perhaps they should consider running as Democrats.

Montana belongs to Montanans, and our elections should too. We need leaders whose loyalties are to Montana families, conservative values, and Republican voters, not outside political machines trying to buy influence in our state.

On June 2, Republican voters should reject the liberal influence invading our primaries and send a true conservative Republican majority to Helena.