Montana Republicans launch local version of House Freedom Caucus

A group of statehouse Republicans emulating their counterparts in Washington, D.C., have launched a Montana Freedom Caucus as the 68th legislative session gets rolling.

The caucus is modeled after the eponymous U.S. House Freedom Caucus, a collection of far-right representatives including Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Montana. The voting bloc flexed its muscles earlier this month when its members held up the ascension of California Rep. Kevin McCarthy, a fellow Republican, to the position of House speaker in exchange for concessions.

“The House Freedom Caucus is a very powerful caucus that can get things done and I think that’s the best example of why we need it in Montana,” said state Rep. Steve Gunderson, R-Libby, referencing the pressure the caucus put on its colleagues by forcing multiple votes for a House speaker over several days.

Gunderson is a member of the newly minted group of Montana Republicans. While the caucus has yet to unveil a platform or agenda, the press release announcing its creation listed its priorities as refunding the tax surplus to taxpayers, election security, securing medical freedom, monitoring the judicial branch, parental rights, and protecting religious freedom and free speech, among others.

The caucus is chaired by Sen. Theresa Manzella, R-Hamiltion, with Rep. Jerry Schillinger, R-Circle, serving as vice chair. Legislators listed as members and hailing from Northwest Montana include Republicans Sen. Mark Noland of Bigfork, Rep. Bob Kennan of Bigfork and Libby’s Gunderson.

Its membership also includes all four Republicans recently appointed to the newly created select committee on election integrity.

“We will stand on the founding principles of the supremacy of individual rights, limited government, and personal responsibility,” MTFC Chair Manzella said in a statement. “We know that when government expands, liberty contracts. We stand for states’ rights and work to rein in federal overreach. Montana citizens have made it clear that this is their desire.”

According to an interview Sen. Manzella gave the Montana Free Press, a Helena-based nonprofit newsroom, the caucus got started when Rosendale reached out directly to Manzella. Gunderson also said that Rosendale has been “super helpful” in getting the caucus set up.

Rosendale will visit Helena on Jan. 19 to meet with the public members of the caucus. Discussions about “what it means to challenge the status quo and defend freedom and liberty for all Montanans” will follow, according to a press release.

“To have a voice in a caucus like this is a big deal,” Gunderson said. “What’s not to be excited about?”

Reporter Kate Heston can be reached at kheston@dailyinterlake.com or at 758-4459.