Arren Kimbel-Sannit, Montana Free Press

The state Senate endorsed previously stalled legislation that would provide for a top-two primary in the 2024 race for the U.S. Senate — an “experiment,” sponsor Sen. Greg Hertz testified. Critics decry a partisan power grab and silencing of Libertarians.

The second-term Republican cited the difficulties of balancing student and legislative life, as well as "significant backlash" from members of her caucus.

The Legislature began its 68th session with partisan speechifying and a minor rules fight.

The GOP-led committee approved the report on party lines after chair Sen. Greg Hertz stripped language accusing the chief justice of the Montana Supreme Court of lying.

The Republican beat Democrat Monica Tranel by four points to conclude the state’s highest-profile race of the 2022 election cycle.

Democrat Joe Lamson will be replaced on Montana’s political map-drawing commission by former Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau.

The Interior Department’s inspector general found that Zinke misrepresented his communications with lobbyists and others leading up to a decision on a tribal gaming compact in Connecticut.