HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Republican Party (MTGOP) Executive Board passed a resolution last week formally opposing Constitutional Initiative 132 (CI-132), which seeks to cement a progressive judiciary in the state by preventing judicial candidates from informing the public of their political affiliation.
So-called “nonpartisan” judicial elections do not remove politics from the judicial process. Rather, they serve only to obscure politics, leaving ordinary voters in the dark under the false pretense of neutrality and nonpartisanship.
The partisan nature of CI-132 itself is made evident by the coalition of Democrat-aligned organizations bankrolling the effort, including Catalyst Montana, Forward Montana, Fireweed Campaigns, the Montana Federation of Public Employees, Big Sky 55+, and the ACLU of Montana. These groups are funded by a network of out-of-state, far-left, billionaire donors – the same Democrat network which has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on Montana Supreme Court races.
“The MTGOP believes Montana should retain judicial elections, but reform them to be free, fair, and honest by allowing candidates to run with a political designation if they so choose, in keeping with their basic First Amendment rights, as well as giving voters the knowledge they need to make an informed decision,” the resolution said.
Montanans should not be fooled by signature gatherers and other proponents of CI-132 who falsely claim the measure will keep politics out of the courts. They should also ensure that paid signature gatherers are in compliance with new state laws requiring that they disclose their first name, state of residence, and status as a paid operative.
HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Republican Party (MTGOP) stands behind its deep bench of qualified candidates seeking to represent Montanans and supports a competitive primary process to let voters pick their preferred candidates.
The MTGOP thanks Representative Ryan Zinke and Senator Steve Daines for their years of public service and wishes them well in their future endeavors.
At this time, the MTGOP will not be endorsing any candidate for federal office, instead leaving that decision to Montana voters. The party hopes every candidate will make their case to the public, contrasting their Republican policies and principles with those of Democrats – as well as phony “Independents.”
The number of primaries for state legislative seats also shows the high level of interest in serving Montanans and passing Republican policy through our state lawmaking process. The MTGOP is glad to see so many Republicans being called to public service.
“Montana voters know that beyond the primaries, there is a clear choice between Republican and Democratic governance; one path leads to lower taxes, less crime, and stronger families, and the other leads to higher taxes, more crime, and social decay,” MTGOP Chairman Art Wittich said.
The MTGOP is working tirelessly to deliver a Bright Red Future on the state and federal levels alike, and it looks forward to helping the candidates selected by Montanans win in November.
HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Republican Party (MTGOP) will bring on Andrew Pierce to serve as its new executive director starting next month.
Pierce, a Hillsdale College graduate with extensive political experience, will manage MTGOP’s operations as it enters the 2026 election cycle and prepares for the 2027 state legislative session.
“We’re thrilled to have Andrew directing our party at this critical time. Republicans have the support of more Montanans than ever, and we will harness that momentum to keep the victories coming,” MTGOP Chairman Art Wittich said.
Pierce will begin serving in the role on September 8, 2025.
“I’m deeply honored to have been chosen by Chairman Wittich and the Executive Board to serve the Republican Party of the best state in the Union. I look forward to working with Republican officials and members to build on MTGOP’s success,” Pierce said.
Under the leadership of Chairman Wittich and Executive Director Pierce, MTGOP aims to deliver the conservative agenda mandated by voters and make Montana an even brighter red state.
“At their best, political parties serve both as local civic associations that amplify their communities’ concerns and as a statewide, unifying force that ensures voters get the policies they voted for. Parties act as the civic glue connecting citizens to their elected officials, empowering ordinary people to participate in self-government without needing to hold office, ” Pierce said.
“Parties also reinforce a vital safeguard: accountability. If elected officials disregard the principles or platform mandated by voters, both the party and voters have means to hold them accountable,” Pierce added.
MTGOP encourages all Montanans who seek responsible, conservative leadership in our state and local governments to reach out and get involved.
BOZEMAN, Mont. – Montana Republican Party Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt issued the following statement after sweeping Republican victories:
“The people of Montana have spoken loud and clear—the Treasure State is now bright red! In a stunning show of support, the GOP emerged victorious in all major races. Voters recognized that the future of our great nation was on the line and rallied behind Republican candidates up and down the ballot.
We proudly retired career politician, two-faced Jon Tester, and ushered in a new era with American Warrior Tim Sheehy, elected as Montana’s next U.S. Senator. Tim will be a fierce advocate for every Montanan, embodying the conservative values that Big Sky Country needs in Washington, D.C.
We couldn’t be prouder of our dedicated Republican candidates who worked tirelessly during this election cycle. At every level—local, state, and federal—our Republican elected officials will continue to fight for Montanans and defend our way of life. Together, we will make America great again!”
By KATE HESTON Daily Inter Lake | November 20, 2023 12:00 AM
JoAn Cuffe is a trailblazer. From her career in banking, to working with women’s organizations, to the chamber of commerce to raising two kids, Cuffe has spent her entire life investing back into her community.
Through her busy schedule and successful ventures, Cuffe says that fortunate is the word that comes to mind.
Born in Lakeview, Michigan, as the second oldest of four children, the other three all boys, Cuffe spent her early years with her family, not particularly wealthy. When she was 8 years old, her family moved to Waldo, British Columbia to a home with no electricity near the Canada-United States border.
Their daily water consumption was from the Kootenai River, and today, the town of Waldo itself is below the surface of Lake Koocanusa, a flooding that happened after the construction of the Libby Dam in 1972.
“The place I grew up in is literally under water,” Cuffe said.
Prior to the completion of the dam, the family moved to Eureka. Cuffe’s mother wanted to move back to the United States and Eureka was close and familiar to the family. Cuffe was a senior in high school when they moved, making the transition incredibly difficult.
However, it was there that she met her now husband, Mike Cuffe, now a Montana state senator, beginning a life of over 55 years together in 1968. Their first born, Matthew, was born in 1970. Molly, their second child, was born in 1973.
Cuffe knew she wanted to go into banking. In a primarily male-dominated field, she slowly worked her way up in the ranks. She attended three colleges, two of which she completed after raising her children. From Calgary, Canada to Norman, Oklahoma, Cuffe moved herself across the continent by herself in search of a good education.
“I knew what I was in for,” Cuffe said. “It’s hardest to get through the glass ceiling. I just always just thought, ‘if a man could do it, why couldn’t a woman do it?’”
Home, however, was always Libby, where her and Mike moved together and where they raised their family. They lived in Libby for 26 years before moving to Eureka again in 1998.
The banking career turned successful for Cuffe. She worked at First National Bank in Libby for over 23 years before she moved to serve as branch manager of the Whitefish Credit Union in Eureka in 2002. The bank was a massive success, Cuffe said.
“I feel the best about that. It was an amazing experience and I think it did amazing things for the community,” she said.
Outside of banking, however, Cuffe invested, and still does, into the community that is Lincoln County. For years, she was extremely active in the women’s helpline in Libby, ultimately becoming an administrative advisor for the helpline’s board.
Cuffe wears a lot of hats. She has chaired the Rendezvous Days parade committee for 13 years, served as the Eureka Area Chamber of Commerce president for two years, the treasurer of the family’s church since 2009, the treasurer for the GOP Central Committee, a board member for both the Tobacco Valley Senior Citizen Council and a member of the Area 6 Council on Aging, among other things.
“If you want to do it, you have to not be afraid to stand out,” she said. “In this day and age there isn’t anything that you can’t do.”
She was recently appointed to the Montana Facility Finance Authority Board as well by Gov. Greg Gianforte, where she will be able to help fund nonprofit, rural medical facilities.
“I don’t need to do this stuff, but it seems to all fall onto my lap,” Cuffe said. She spoke highly of her husband’s admiration for positivity and taking on tasks as some inspiration behind her jam-packed schedule.
Cuffe retired from banking on Dec. 31, 2014 after a long and successful career, creating a highly successful Whitefish Credit Union branch, but still remains active and engaged through the various board positions and councils.
Cuffe looks forward to the time she spends with their two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She hopes that, like she and her husband did with their children, to instill positive thinking and being a good person within them.
“Everyone has something to offer, you just have to want to,” Cuffe said. “I feel fortunate to help make the community the best it can be.”
Reporter Kate Heston can be reached at kheston@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4459.
