Montana
Montana's Attorney General Said He Recruited Token Primary Opponent to Increase Campaign Fundraising – Flathead Beacon
HELENA — Montana’s attorney general told supporters he skirted the state’s campaign finance laws by inviting another Republican to run against him as a token candidate in next month’s primary so he could raise more money for the November general election, according to a recording from a fundraising event.
“I do technically have a primary,” Attorney General Austin Knudsen said last week when asked at the event who was running against him. “However, he is a young man who I asked to run against me because our campaign laws are ridiculous.”
Knudsen separately faces dozens of professional misconduct allegations from the state’s office of attorney discipline as he seeks a second term. He made the comments about his primary opponent during the fundraiser on May 11 in Dillon, Montana, according to the recording obtained by the Daily Montanan, which is part of the nonprofit States Newsroom organization.
In the recording, Knudsen is heard saying that Logan Olson “filed to run against me simply because under our current campaign finance laws in Montana, it allows me to raise more money. So, he supports me and he’s going to vote for me.”
Knudsen’s senior campaign adviser Jake Eaton declined to comment on the recording.
Olson, a county attorney in rural northeastern Montana, denied being recruited by Knudsen. Campaign finance records indicate his filing fee was paid by a longtime Republican operative who is also a Knudsen donor.
The state’s campaign finance watchdog agency, the Commissioner of Political Practices, is investigating complaints filed by the executive director of the Montana Democratic Party that allege an agreement between Knudsen and Olson.
Under state law, a person cannot pay or “promise valuable consideration” to another person to induce them to be a candidate, or to withdraw as a candidate.
Democrat Sheila Hogan’s complaints say Knudsen started raising donations exceeding the $790-per person allowed without a primary opponent long before Olson filed on March 11 — the final day for candidate filing.
“Olson is not a legitimate, good faith candidate for Attorney General,” both complaints state.
Eaton, who called the complaint against Knudsen frivolous, said it was “common practice for candidates to accept primary and general contributions and then return the money if there is no contested primary.”
He suggested Democratic Attorney General candidate Ben Alke, a Bozeman attorney, was also accepting more money than what is allowed from individual donors.
However, a search of Alke’s campaign finance reports shows only contributions to his primary campaign.
Knudsen and Olson have until May 23 to respond to the complaints, although Olson has requested an extension, commissioner Chris Gallus said Friday.
Olson has not raised or spent any money in the race, according to a report filed by his treasurer on Friday.
His April campaign finance report listed a debt of more than $1,500 to Standard Consulting of Helena for reimbursement of his filing fee.
“I did pay Logan’s filing fee and helped him file for office,” Chuck Denowh, a Republican operative and owner of Standard Consulting, said in an email Friday. “I did so because he asked me to.”
Denowh has donated $1,580 to Knudsen — $790 each for the primary and general elections.
Alke said the professional misconduct allegations and other actions by Knudsen are why he’s running for attorney general.
Knudsen is facing 41 counts of professional misconduct on allegations his office tried to undermine the Montana Supreme Court while defending a challenge to a state law about judicial nominations. The Commission on Practice is scheduled to hear the case in mid-July and recommend whether Knudsen should be punished.
Separately, in early 2021 Knudsen ordered the Lewis and Clark County attorney to dismiss concealed carry weapons charges against a man who allegedly threatened a restaurant manager trying to enforce the state’s pandemic mask mandate. Knudsen’s office later pleaded the case down to disorderly conduct.
In October 2021, a Helena hospital said three unspecified public officials threatened doctors after they refused to treat a COVID-19 patient with ivermectin, a drug for parasites that is not federally approved for the virus. Knudsen’s office later confirmed that he participated in a conference call with hospital executives and that he sent a Montana Highway Patrol trooper to the hospital to talk with the patient’s family after they claimed mistreatment — something the hospital denied.
“This sort of conduct from the chief legal officer and law enforcement officer of the state of Montana is inappropriate and I hope people are paying attention because this is just one of several issues with Austin Knudsen,” Alke said Thursday.
The dangers of lead exposure for children are well known and many schools across Montana have made great strides to protect students and staff from lead in drinking water. But a number of Montana schools have not yet taken action and the possibility of lead in school drinking water continues to be a serious concern.
Children are particularly at risk because their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults and the risks from lead include anemia, kidney and brain damage, as well as learning disabilities and decreased growth.
Because children spend a large share of their childhood in schools, it is extremely important to provide safe drinking water. Some schools may not even be aware of the danger because even when water entering a building meets safety standards for lead concentrations, older plumbing within schools could contribute to elevated lead levels in the drinking water.
In Montana, testing for lead began in 2020 in accredited K-12 schools where students can get drinking water. As of April, 487 school facilities (buildings) have tested for lead out of 591 in the state, leaving 104 schools — in both large and small communities — that have not yet completed the testing.
Fortunately, funding and assistance is available to help make sure all Montana schools can first test their drinking water and then take preventative steps if needed to eliminate any dangerous levels of lead.
For testing, an EPA grant supports free sampling for lead in drinking water for any Montana school. The schools can hire someone to do the testing and invoice the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.
For schools where lead tests exceed the state standard, we supported and helped pass an amendment during the 2023 Legislature that provides funding that will cover the cost of labor and supplies for new faucets, drinking fountains or water bottle filling stations. Using this state program, we can work with parents, local communities and schools to keep our schools and children safe.
Here are the details: The Legislature approved $3.7 million for the replacement program which is available to any school that needs to upgrade its water drinking facilities. Each school building qualifies for up to $100,000 to replace water faucets, water fountains and purchase new bottle filling stations, with up to a quarter of this amount available for labor costs.
The funding should help most schools greatly improve their drinking water. According to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, a bottle filling station costs roughly $2,500 and faucets run from $300-$500 each.
One of the major challenges now is to help the remaining schools test and fix their drinking water as needed. Parents, teachers and school administrators should check with Montana Department of Environmental Quality for more information, or contact any of us, to learn the status of their school and how to participate.
Lead is a danger to our children’s health, but working together we can address this problem and help ensure that our kids learn in a safe and secure environment.
Sen. Janet Ellis, D-Helena, Rep. Paul Tuss, D-Havre, Rep. Melissa Romano, D-Helena, Rep. Mark Thane, D-Missoula.
MISSOULA — The University of Montana will be hosting a career fair on campus from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4 outside UM’s new dining center on the west end of the Oval.
This campus-wide hiring event will feature over 50 career opportunities, ranging from UM Campus Dining, Athletics and UM Housing to Facility Services and more.
“UM Campus Dining provides an inclusive culture, great work-life balance and wonderful co-workers,” said Kacey Gardipee, associate director of Residential Dining. “Working for UM Campus Dining gives you and your family the best benefits in Missoula! Looking to further your culinary career? The new dining center offers seven micro-concepts showcasing cuisines from around the country and world.”
Representatives from UM Human Resource Services will provide guidance on the recruitment process and answer any questions about job openings currently listed at www.umt.edu/jobs.
In anticipation of the grand opening this summer, UM Campus Dining, the event sponsor, is looking to fill over 24 positions across campus.
Tours of the new dining center, which will open to students and visitors in August, will be provided every hour. Available positions for UM Campus Dining include cashiers, cooks, sous chefs, dishwashers and sanitation technicians and facilities specialists.
UM is committed to “Mission First, People Always,” emphasizing teamwork and collaboration across departments to enhance its educational and work environment.
Employment at UM comes with numerous benefits, including extensive health coverage, free shift meals for Campus Dining employees, partial tuition waivers for employees or their immediate family members, a respectful and collaborative work environment that values diversity, opportunities for advancement, a commitment to safety and well-being, comprehensive retirement plans and a high standard of professionalism.
UM is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.
More local news from KPAX
Montana
From his Montana ranch, a retired lawmaker is angling for a comeback in a crowded House race
How grief taught award-winning producer Jack Antonoff to be less cynical
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25472756/sff_ready_enthusiast_geforce_case_nvidia.jpg)
Nvidia’s small GPU initiative will keep graphics cards large — but I’m glad it exists
Russia not 'bluffing' with nuclear threats as Biden greenlights limited military strikes, Medvedev says
Trump joins TikTok, the app he once tried to ban as president
7 of this week's most noteworthy health stories, in case you missed them
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
At least 2 dead as tornadoes hit Alabama, damage homes across Southeast
Trump joins TikTok, the app he once tried to ban as president
Businesswoman Halla Tomasdottir set to become Iceland’s next president
Vintage Trump remarks after convictions renew dilemma for news media and voters alike
Ron DeSantis touts Florida's education system, slams 'woke' academia in Sarasota address
Thousands march in Budapest streets in support of Orbán
-
News1 week agoRead the I.C.J. Ruling on Israel’s Rafah Offensive
-
News1 week agoVideo: Protesters Take Over U.C.L.A. Building
-
World1 week agoHoping to pave pathway to peace, Norway to recognise Palestinian statehood
-
News1 week agoLegendary U.S. World War II submarine located 3,000 feet underwater off the Philippines
-
World1 week agoFamilies of Uvalde school shooting victims sue Microsoft, Meta and gunmaker
-
Politics1 week agoHunter Biden attends pre-trial hearing in Delaware court on federal gun charges
-
Politics1 week agoDefense Secretary Lloyd Austin to undergo nonsurgical procedure, Deputy Kathleen Hicks will assume control
-
News1 week agoHere are three possible outcomes in the Trump hush money trial : Consider This from NPR