Politics & Government
The Daily Inter Lake’s Politics & Government section delivers updated local and national political coverage, featuring legislative developments, elections, policy debates, and government actions shaping Montana.
Flathead Valley cities feel financial strain of land use law
Representatives from each of the 10 cities required to comply with the law expressed support for its long-term goa…
All systems go for voting on Tuesday
The Flathead County Election Department tested its voting systems on Friday with a check-up that was open to the public, and all systems are go for Tuesday’s general election.
Wheat's record under attack; what's actually in the record?
HELENA — From high-profile criminal cases to multimillion-dollar business decisions, Supreme Court Justice Mike Wheat has ruled many ways on some of Montana’s biggest cases since joining the court in 2010.
Two competing for PSC position
HELENA (AP) — The race for Public Service Commission Chairman Bill Gallagher’s seat on Nov. 4 pits a former secretary of state against a four-term state legisl…
VanDyke: Conservative ties, appellate law in three states
HELENA — Montana Supreme Court justice candidate Lawrence VanDyke has worked as a lawyer for a giant international law firm and Republican attorneys general in Texas and Montana, focusing on appellate law — experie…
Rice seeks re-election as justice
HELENA -- Montana Supreme Court Justice Jim Rice said he's seeking re-election because he's pleased with his work on the court and the progress the court has made the past decade in its approach to deciding cases.
Herbert challenging Rice for Supreme Court
Montana Supreme Court candidate W. David Herbert of Billings said he decided to challenge veteran Justice Jim Rice for the court after reading the justice's opinion in a 2013 case.
Zinke says lesson learned in travel expense audit
HELENA — Republican U.S. House candidate Ryan Zinke of Whitefish said Tuesday that he learned a lesson after being cited for lapses of judgment in a Navy evalu…
Colleague questions candidate's skills for court
HELENA (AP) — A former co-worker of Montana Supreme Court candidate Lawrence VanDyke is questioning whether the ex-solicitor general has the experience and temperament for a seat on the state’s highest court.
U S House Debate, Kalispell MT, Oct 19, 2014
Candidates for the at-large U.S. House seat in Montana met in Kalispell, Montana, on Oct. 19 to debate at Flathead Valley Community College. Republican Ryan Zinke, Democrat John Lewis and Libertarian Mike Fellows s…
Curtis, Daines clash on government role in energy
SIDNEY — Republican Steve Daines and Democrat Amanda Curtis clashed over energy and the government’s proper role in the industry during the first U.S. Senate d…
U.S. House candidates meet in final debate
GREAT FALLS — Republican Ryan Zinke and Democrat John Lewis sparred Tuesday over the nation’s health-care overhaul in the final debate before voters decide who…
Senate debate reveals contrasts between candidates
BILLINGS — Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Amanda Curtis cast Republican Rep. Steve Daines as a conservative ideologue out of step with Montana voters during …
House candidates debate in Kalispell
Candidates for Montana’s lone U.S. House seat covered a lot of ground during a Sunday evening debate in Kalispell, starting with the Ebola crisis and touching …
Fellows: Libertarian says he's the true fiscal conservative
HELENA — Mike Fellows said he’s running for the U.S. House for three reasons: to try to balance the federal budget, reduce the federal debt and protect Second …
Zinke: GOP candidate touts leadership background
BUTTE — Speaking to the Montana Medical Association trustees recently, House candidate Ryan Zinke of Whitefish wasted no time telling the doctors what he think…