Montana GOP Purges 9 Turncoat Republican Senators for Backing Democrats, Says They Are No Longer Recognized as Republicans
The Montana Republican Party has formally censured nine Republican state senators for betraying the will of GOP voters and aligning themselves with Democrats during the 69th Legislative Session.
The state party’s Executive Committee has made it clear: these lawmakers are no longer recognized as Republicans.
The nine rogue senators—Jason Ellsworth, Wendy McKamey, Gayle Lammers, Josh Kassmier, Butch Gillespie, Gregg Hunter, Denley Loge, Russ Tempel, and Shelley Vance—have repeatedly sold out conservative priorities, voting with Democrats on key issues, disrupting committee assignments, and opposing vital amendments to Senate rules that would have preserved Republican leadership and integrity.
More from the press release:
The Executive Committee of the Montana Republican Party (MTGOP) has censured the nine Montana Senators as Republicans following their repeated alignment with Senate Democrats during the 69th Legislative Session. These Senators have undermined the Republican majority leadership and disregarded the will of Montana Republican voters.
The nine Senators in question-Jason Ellsworth, Wendy McKamey, Gayle Lammers, Josh Kassmier, Butch Gillespie, Gregg Hunter, Denley Loge, Russ Tempel, and Shelley Vance-have consistently voted with Democrats, betraying the core values of the Republican Party.
Despite multiple calls for unity and adherence to Republican principles, the Senators have chosen to align with Democrats, undermining Republican priorities and leadership. Their actions include voting to disrupt committee assignments, opposing critical amendment to Senate Rules, and failing to support the expulsion of Senator Ellsworth after an ethics investigation.
The MTGOP Executive Committee has determined that these Senators no longer represent the values or interests of Montana Republicans.
As a result, the MTGOP will no longer support or fund their campaigns. The Party is also urging the media and the public to refrain from referring to these Senators as Republicans.
The MTGOP is committed to ensuring that its elected officials uphold the trust of their constituents and the Party’s principles, and will continue to advocate for a united Republican voice in Montana.
The Montana Republican Party has kicked 9 Republican Senators out of the party…
For continually voting w/Dems & “undermining Republican priorities & leadership.”
They will not receive funding or recognition from the @MTGOP in the future
The MTGOP asks the media & public not… pic.twitter.com/AMb3aDa2Rt
— Amy Kremer (@AmyKremer) April 5, 2025
This marks the second time the state party has rebuked the nine Senate Republicans, following a statement issued in March.
The Montana Republican Party (MTGOP) is strongly rebuking nine Republican state senators who have frequently aligned with Democrats, creating obstacles for the Republican majority in the Senate. Montana voters elected a strong Republican majority last November, expecting leadership that reflects their choices.
On Jan. 6th, 2025, the first day of the 69th Legislative session, and continuing to this day, nine Republican Senators have partnered with the Democratic minority to overrule Republican leadership. These actions have undermined the will of the people and created a de facto 27-23 Democratic majority in the Senate. The nine Republican Senators involved are:
Jason Ellsworth, SD43
Wendy McKamey, SD12
Gayle Lammers, SD21
Josh Kassmier, SD13
Butch Gillespie, SD9
Gregg Hunter, SD15
Denley Loge, SD45
Russ Tempel, SD14
Shelley Vance, SD34
Montanans voted for Republican governance, not compromises that shift power away from their elected majority. We believe these nine senators, at times, prioritized personal and political considerations over the broader priorities of their constituents. Their actions have contributed to a shift in influence that does not align with the platform they campaigned on. We encourage all elected leaders to stay true to the commitments they made to Montana voters.
The MTGOP calls on these senators to cease obstructing key Republican priorities and return to the faithful representation of their constituents and the Republican platform. If their actions continue to damage the integrity of the Republican majority, the party will consider additional steps to address the situation. The MTGOP urges all members to uphold the trust of the voters who elected them and to work together in support of Montana’s future.
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