Montana
Knudsen campaign says Dems' complaint doesn't specify broken law or statute • Daily Montanan
The campaign for Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has responded to a complaint filed by the executive director of the Montana Democratic Party that accuses the top law enforcement officer of campaign violations, including raising more campaign funds than allowed by law, and recruiting a primary candidate who is not qualified.
Responding to the complaint filed last week, campaign manager Jake Eaton called on Montana Commissioner of Political Practices Chris Gallus to dismiss the complaint, saying that it doesn’t mention one violation of law, and therefore the Knudsen campaign cannot respond to the allegations, which Eaton called “semi-coherent ramblings.”
“Ms. Hogan’s complaint violates the requirements of (Montana law) because the complain does not set forth a detailed description of the alleged violations, including citations to each statute and/or rule that is alleged to be violated,” the response letter said.
The Commissioner of Political Practices has yet to rule on the matter, and, as of Wednesday afternoon, was still awaiting a response from Knudsen’s primary opponent, Daniels County Attorney Logan Olson, whom Hogan also filed a complaint against.
Those complaints are similar and connected.
Hogan’s letter cites a portion of Montana law that governs donations to statewide political candidates. In her letter, Hogan asks the Commissioner to declare that Olson doesn’t meet the qualifications for running for Montana Attorney General, which requires candidates to have been practicing law for five years by Election Day.
According to his website and a records check with the University of Montana, Olson graduated from law school in 2020, although some courts have counted time in law school toward the requirement.
Hogan alleges that Knudsen started collecting campaign funds for both the primary and the general election before he had a challenger. Moreover, when Olson filed on the last day of eligibility, he wasn’t qualified, the complaint alleges.
In her complaint, Hogan asks the Commissioner of Political Practice to strike Olson’s name from the ballot and force Knudsen to return excessive funds because he was ineligible for office.
However, in his response, Knudsen’s campaign said that many Democratic candidates for office start raising money in anticipation of an opponent, as Knudsen has done.
“If the commissioner accepts Ms. Hogan’s new interpretation of 13-37-216(6), please notify me right away so I may file complaints against those candidates as well,” Eaton said in his response.
Barbecue in Dillon
Knudsen’s complaint is silent about remarks he made at a May 11 barbecue to meet candidates in Dillon. During the event, where Knudsen was featured as a guest, the attorney general told the crowd that he recruited Olson to run against in him in the primary so that he could raise more money, according to a recording obtained by the Daily Montanan.
Moreover, Knudsen said that Olson wasn’t planning on running a campaign, and said that he had recruited him so that the incumbent Republican attorney general could raise more funds, calling Montana campaign finance law “ridiculous.”
Montana law places limits on how much candidates running unopposed can raise. It also prohibits enticing another candidate to run for office for financial gain.
Hogan-v-Knudsen1
AFM-Response
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at July 14, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from July 14 drawing
02-04-10-48-56, Mega Ball: 22
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from July 14 drawing
15-20-26-27, Bonus: 02
Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from July 14 drawing
12-13-15-16-41, Bonus: 02
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
- Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
- Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.
Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.
If a furry, playful, hugg-able, lovable kitten would be a great addition to your place, now’s the time to visit the Humane Society of Western Montana.
MEET BAKER AND BUSBOY
It was another Take Me Home Tuesday at the radio stations with the Humane Society. Katie brought in “Baker” (black kitty) and “Busboy” (gray kitty), who along with their two siblings “Chef” and “Cook” form a Fantastic Four of pure joy.
These two-month-old little ones were found in the Polson area and surrendered to the shelter. They just had their spay/neuter surgeries Monday (July 13) and they will be looking for their forever homes starting Wednesday (July 15).
Whether you are looking for one kitten or the whole “kitchen,” visit the shelter and fall in love with Baker, Busboy, Chef and Cook.
EVER CONSIDERED BEING A FOSTER HOME FOR SHELTER PETS?
It is kitten season at the Humane Society of Western Montana. The Humane Society is always looking for Fosters to take care of tiny kittens until they are old enough to be adopted. They currently have some that are with mom cats, and some that are bottle babies. And there is always a need for volunteers willing to nurture them until they are of adoption age.
And of course one of the perks of being a Foster is, if you fall in love with a kitten, you pretty much get first dibs.
READ MORE: Volunteers Hit ‘The Ridge’ To Improve Montana Elk Hunting Opportunities
So, whether you are looking to adopt or would like more information about being a foster home, be sure to visit the Humane Society of Western Montana soon. They are open from 1:00 – 6:00 pm Wednesdays through Sundays at 5930 Highway 93 South in Missoula. See more cats AND dogs waiting to be adopted on the shelter’s ADOPT webpage here.
LOOK: Can you tell the difference between these common pets?
Can you tell the difference between a hamster and a guinea pig? How about a betta and a guppy? Test your pet ID skills in our cute quiz.
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
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