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Panel hears bill to allow political party contributions to judicial candidates
Summary
Representative Tom Millett presented House Bill 39 to repeal the statute banning political party contributions to judicial candidates; proponents said modest party support increases voter information and candidate viability, opponents warned it would inject partisan influence into the judiciary.
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard House Bill 39, which would repeal MCA 13-30-5231 (the current prohibition on political-party contributions to judicial candidates) and allow political party committees to contribute to judicial campaigns under existing campaign limits. Representative Tom Millett, sponsor, said partisan involvement can “enhance transparency, accountability, and public trust,” and argued party contributions would help judicial candidates reach voters.
Supporters included Darren Gaub of the Montana Freedom Caucus and county-level Republican activists who said party involvement helps voters understand judicial candidates’ philosophies. Millett displayed campaign-contribution-limit figures from the Commissioner of Political Practices and told senators the aggregate limits are modest: he cited $84,150 for a Supreme Court justice and $2,250 for a district court judge from all political-party committees.
Opponents included Bruce Spencer, representing the State Bar of Montana and the Montana Judges Association, who said no judges asked for party money and that partisan donations risk making judicial elections explicitly partisan. Spencer cited a Montana State University poll (as mentioned in testimony) showing wide public support for nonpartisan judges: testimony cited figures that 72% opposed judges having party affiliation and 89% opposed judges deciding by party lines. Tribal representatives — Alyssa Snow speaking for Blackfeet, Fort Belknap and Chippewa Cree communities — warned that partisan donations invite out-of-state money and political influence that can erode fair, impartial adjudication.
Natasha Jones of ABOTA, Sharon Haugen of the League of Women Voters and other opponents urged the committee to preserve judicial independence and said existing Montana judicial conduct rules already limit partisan activity. Committee members queried constitutional and First Amendment considerations; some asked if candidates could return donations under current law. Representative Millett closed by urging members to “restore trust” in the judiciary by allowing limited party participation; Senator Manzella volunteered to carry the bill. No committee vote occurred during the hearing.
