Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
We're working to fix a technical issue causing problems with our broadcasts. We'll have it resolved as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Montana politics, elections and legislative news

Freedom Caucus seeks to unite 'constitutionally conservative' state lawmakers

Sen. Theresa Manzella (R) - Hamilton
Freddy Monares
/
UM Legislative News Service
Sen. Theresa Manzella (R) - Hamilton

Hard-line Montana House and Senate conservatives have formed a new caucus in the Legislature modeled after the U.S. House Freedom Caucus. Montana’s Freedom Caucus was created through collaboration with state legislators and Rep. Matt Rosendale, who is a member of the similarly named national group.

In Washington D.C., members of the House Freedom Caucus are generally known to be among the most conservative and hard-line Republicans. In recent days, the caucus has made national headlines for votes blocking Rep. Kevin McCarthy from the speakership.

Montana Sen. Theresa Manzella, from Hamilton, is the state caucus chair. She says Rosendale asked her to organize the caucus, which included finding the state’s most “constitutionally conservative” legislators to join.

“And then they went through a very stringent vetting process, both their voting record, as well as their personal life," Manzella says.

Prior to announcing their formation, the Montana Freedom Caucus traveled to Washington D.C. for two days of what Manzella refers to as extensive training. Fourteen legislators have announced their membership in the group, but there may be more because members can remain anonymous.

“People are given the opportunity to decide whether or not they want to share their membership and their participation in the Freedom Caucus or not," Manzella says.

Wyoming and Idaho also launched state freedom caucuses this week, joining eight other states, including Montana, as part of the national State Freedom Caucus Network.

The network, launched in part by former Trump Administration Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, started in 2021 and provides financial and administrative support to the statehouse caucuses.

Manzella says the group is still deciding their priorities to pursue this session and plans to publish them soon.

Updated: January 6, 2023 at 9:37 AM MST
This story has been updated to reflect that lawmakers in both the Montana House and Senate are in the state Freedom Caucus.

Ellis Juhlin is MTPR's Rocky Mountain Front reporter. Ellis previously worked as a science reporter at Utah Public Radio and a reporter at Yellowstone Public Radio. She has a Master's Degree in Ecology from Utah State University. She's an average birder and wants you to keep your cat indoors. She has two dogs, one of which is afraid of birds.

ellis.juhlin@mso.umt.edu
406-272-2568
Become a sustaining member for as low as $5/month
Make an annual or one-time donation to support MTPR
Pay an existing pledge or update your payment information