Guest Editorial: Putting Montanans Before Politics
Author: Erin Ferris-Olsen, Senate Democrats Communications Director
Putting Montanans Before Politics
Erin Ferris-Olsen
Senate Democrats Communications Director
Republicans Seek to Politicize Courts!
HELENA-- Montana Senate Democrats today charged that Republicans are seeking to politicize Montana’s Courts, overturning 237 years of U.S. and Montana history of a fair, impartial and non-partisan judiciary.
“We know Montanans want less politics in their lives, not more. Montanans want fairness and their freedoms protected. Montanas want justice in their courts, not politics.” Sen. Laura Smith.
Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 42 which would require all judges and justices to declare a political affiliation in running for judgeship. “SB 42 puts the politics of a few over the rights and freedoms of Montanans,” says John Marshall, a resident of Hot Springs, Montana.
“No one wants more politics in our judicial system. Our goal should be to protect the fair, impartial nature of the courts–as the US and Montana Constitutions intended,” says Sen. Andrea Olsen.
“This bill will force loyal public servants to become political and discourage good people from running for judge.” - Sen. Cora Neumann
Republican proponents of politicizing Montana’s courts could not provide a single example, outside of our Lt. Governor's personal grievance, where our current system has resulted in a politically biased judicial election outcome.
Democrats proposed a public referendum amendment to this bill that was not opposed by the bill’s sponsor. Sen. Laura Smith submitted an official amendment to that effect on Thursday. If the amendment is approved, legislators could, through a public referendum, let Montana voters decide how they want to elect judges in the future.
The purpose of the Republican agenda is clear. Extreme Republicans are trying to remedy their discontent with past Montana Supreme Court decisions striking down laws that violate Montanans’ freedoms. The extreme bill to politicize Montana’s courts won’t make Montanans' lives better. We must put the fairness and freedoms of Montanans first.
