State of Montana Archives: on Civil Rights


Steve Bullock: COVID-19: Gave counties option to switch to all-mail ballots

Because of concerns about COVID-19, Gov. Steve Bullock gave Montana counties the option to switch to all-mail ballots for the June 2 election--and all 56 counties took that option.
Source: KTVH NBC-TV-Helena on 2020 Montana Senate race Jun 26, 2020

Mike Cooney: Invest in economic opportunities on and off reservations

Mike has been a partner in passing legislation to preserve Indian languages, increase opportunities to capital for native-owned businesses, and improve access to healthcare services and quality public education. Mike will continue to ensure that tribal sovereignty is respected while continuing to invest in economic opportunities for American Indians on and off the reservations. He'll also continue the important work to address the ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.
Source: 2020 Montana governor campaign website CooneyForMontana.com Mar 25, 2020

Mike Cooney: Avidly supports equal protection for all, especially LGBTQ

Mike is an avid supporter of equal protection under the law for all Montanans, especially our LGBTQ friends and neighbors. Throughout his tenure in public office, he's opposed any anti-LGBTQ legislation that would discriminate against or deny protection based on sexual orientation or gender identity. As Governor, Mike will work with the legislature and the courts to ensure that Montanans of all identities and orientations are protected under the full extent of the law.
Source: 2020 Montana governor campaign website CooneyForMontana.com Mar 25, 2020

Corey Stapleton: Will take deliberative approach on mail-in voting

Montana's Clerk and Recorders Association is asking the Secretary of State to make Montana's June primary mail-in only. Stapleton earlier this week said he planned to take a deliberative approach to deciding whether to change the election due to concerns with COVID-19.
Source: NBC Montana on 2020 Montana Governor race Mar 20, 2020

Wilmot Collins: Go further than Overturning Citizens United decision

We must address the influence special interests have on our laws and economic system, because their interests are not the same as Montanans' interests. We need to go further than overturning the disastrous Citizens United decision that allowed unlimited and unaccountable Dark Money to flow into our elections. We have to push for lobbying and election reform to save our democracy.
Source: 2020 Montana Senate campaign website, WilmotCollins.com Jan 12, 2020

Wilmot Collins: I'm an American; I served this country honorably

When Trump tweeted that four Democratic lawmakers of color should "go back to the countries they came from," Collins' possible opponent, Republican Sen. Steve Daines, heartily backed the racist tweet with a pledge of support on his Twitter account. Collins says the men showed their true colors. "He's trying to say because they're black and brown, they need to go back to Africa, where I'm from," Collins said. "But that's wrong. I'm an American. I've served this country honorably."
Source: Sand Mountain Reporter on 2020 Montana Senate race Oct 9, 2019

Tim Fox: Welcomes Chick-fil-A to Montana, despite anti-LGBTQ views

"Politicians in some states may think it's okay to discriminate against others based on their religious views, but that's not how we do things in Montana," wrote Fox. He referenced recent controversies following accusations that the chain's foundation had donated to charities espousing anti-LGBTQ views. He made sure to note that beef will likely always be "king" in Montana, despite his call for more Chick-fil-A restaurants in the state.
Source: Fox News on 2020 Montana governor race Apr 23, 2019

Steve Bullock: We celebrate progress, but fight for equal rights continues

Bullock said at 25th annual Pride parade in Helena: "We're going to reflect on what we've done, we're going to celebrate but we're not going to stand still. We're not going to stand still until equal rights aren't an abstract, it's something for everyone."
Source: The Missoulian on 2020 Montana gubernatorial race Jun 16, 2018

Albert Olszewski: No same-sex marriage

Q: Do you support the legalisation of same sex marriage?

A: Albert Olszewski's answer: No

Q: Should a business be able to deny service to a customer if the request conflicts with the owner's religious beliefs?

A: Albert Olszewski's answer: Yes

Source: iSideWith.com on 2018 Montana Senate race Jan 1, 2018

Albert Olszewski: Don't require pay equity between men & women

Q: Should employers be required to pay men and women the same salary for the same job?

A: Albert Olszewski's answer: No

Source: iSideWith.com on 2018 Montana Senate race Jan 1, 2018

Albert Olszewski: No Confederate flags on government property

Q: Should states be allowed to display the Confederate flag on government property?

A: Albert Olszewski's answer: No

Source: iSideWith.com on 2018 Montana Senate race Jan 1, 2018

Albert Olszewski: Allowing 71 genders on birth certificate costs over $100,000

Montana has advanced a bill that would make it more difficult for transgender people to change the gender listed on their birth certificate. Senators voted 29 to 19 in favor of Senate Bill 10, which would kill updates by the Department of Public Health and Human Services allowing trans individuals to change identity documents without prior surgery.

Republicans warned that the reforms would be expensive to implement. Sen. Albert Olszewski claimed that it would cost between $100,000 and $200,000 to update government forms and computer systems. He also argued that DPHHS should have consulted the State Legislature before mandating the changes.

The Montana Family Foundation has begun circulating a petition which alleges that there are "as many as 71 recognized genders with more being added all the time." LGBTQ advocacy groups have denounced SB 10. Should it pass the House, the legislation is likely to be vetoed by Gov. Bullock, who is a Democrat.

Source: IntoMore.com on 2018 Montana Senate race Nov 16, 2017

Steve Daines: No safe haven for neo-Nazi white nationalists

Top Montana lawmakers warned neo-Nazis they would find "no safe haven" for a rally that could include guns planned for next month in a mountain town where white nationalists have threatened Jewish residents.

The lawmakers include both Democrats and U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke, recently picked by Republican President-elect Donald Trump to be interior secretary. "We say to those few who seek to publicize anti-Semitic views that they shall find no safe haven here," Zinke wrote in an open letter also signed by Gov. Steve Bullock (D); U.S. Sens. Steve Daines (R), and Jon Tester (D); and Attorney General Tim Fox (R).

Neo-Nazis plan to march in January in the mountain ski town of Whitefish in Montana's remote and rugged northwestern reaches. The march is to support the mother of white nationalist leader Richard Spencer. Sherry Spencer is facing pressure from community members to sell a building she owns in Whitefish because of its ties to her son and to disavow her son's beliefs.

Source: Religion News Service on 2020 Montana Senate race Dec 28, 2016

Tim Fox: No safe haven for neo-Nazi white nationalists

Top Montana lawmakers warned neo-Nazis they would find "no safe haven" for a rally that could include guns planned for next month in a mountain town where white nationalists have threatened Jewish residents.

The lawmakers include both Democrats and U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke, recently picked by Republican President-elect Donald Trump to be interior secretary. "We say to those few who seek to publicize anti-Semitic views that they shall find no safe haven here," Zinke wrote in an open letter also signed by Gov. Steve Bullock (D); U.S. Sens. Steve Daines (R), and Jon Tester (D); and Attorney General Tim Fox (R).

Neo-Nazis plan to march in January in the mountain ski town of Whitefish in Montana's remote and rugged northwestern reaches. The march is to support the mother of white nationalist leader Richard Spencer. Sherry Spencer is facing pressure from community members to sell a building she owns in Whitefish because of its ties to her son and to disavow her son's beliefs.

Source: Religion News Service on 2020 Montana Gubernatorial race Dec 28, 2016

Greg Gianforte: We need equal opportunity, not equal outcomes

Aaron Flint, a spokesman for GOP gubernatorial hopeful Greg Gianforte, said the Bozeman high-tech entrepreneur thinks that oftentimes women should get more pay. "For example, his daughter goes to Stanford and got a perfect ACT score. Greg thinks she should get paid more. As he's stated on the road from Ekalaka to Eureka: We need equal opportunity, not equal outcomes." Flint noted Gianforte's chief operating officer at RightNow was a woman, along with several other top executives and employees.
Source: Great Falls Tribune on 2016 Montana gubernatorial race Apr 12, 2016

Steve Bullock: Address persistent wage gap between men and women

Gov. Steve Bullock will convene another summit focused on a persistent wage gap between men and women that, he says, ranks Montana 39th in the nation in pay equity. Bullock visited with his Equal Pay for Equal Work Task Force that he formed shortly after taking office three years ago. He urged the task force to continue the task of reducing the wage gap.

With the economy a focal point of the governor's race, Bullock is attempting to position himself as an advocate of the working class. Bullock wants to see wages rise--particularly among women who aren't being paid fairly. He said Montana women make about 67 cents for every dollar made by men. And he noted the slow pace in which women are catching up to men in salaries. "At this rate, the gap won't close until the year 2080. That's unacceptable," he told the group. "I'd match our Montana work ethic up against any other state in the nation, and 39th in the country in pay equity is flat out not OK."

Source: The Missoulian on 2016 Montana Gubernatorial race Mar 11, 2016

Greg Gianforte: Promoted openly gay workers despite his religious beliefs

The Gianforte Family Foundation has supported anti-abortion campaigns and helped build a museum based on the creationist belief that humans and dinosaurs coexisted. In 2014, Gianforte lobbied against a nondiscrimination ordinance in Bozeman. For their part, past employees say that he never let his religious beliefs influence business, equally promoting openly gay workers and those of other faiths.
Source: Ozy.com on 2016 Montana gubernatorial race Jan 13, 2016

Steve Bullock: First MT governor to officiate same-sex wedding

Gov. Steve Bullock recently became the first governor in Montana history to officiate a same-sex marriage. He performed it Sept. 12 for Mike Wessler, his deputy communications director, and Wade Zolynski. About 100 people were in attendance. Wessler gave his boss kudos for a job well done. The state has recognized same-sex marriage since November.
Source: Great Falls Tribune on 2016 Montana gubernatorial race Oct 23, 2015

Steve Bullock: Protect the right to marry any person you love

Governor Steve Bullock today released the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court's decision affirming the freedom to marry for same sex couples:

"This ruling protects the right of all Montanans to marry the person they love, and moves our state and nation closer to the promise of freedom, dignity, and equality that they were founded upon. All people, regardless of their sexual orientation, should have the opportunity to make a good life for themselves and their families."

Source: 2015 Montana Governor's office press release governor.mt.gov Jun 26, 2015

Steve Bullock: Close the wage gap for women

Today is International Women's Day and I pledge to continue to fight for fair pay for all Montana workers-- because when Montana women and families succeed, we all succeed. Learn more about what we're doing to close the wage gap atÿequalpay.mt.gov.
Source: Facebook.com posting for 2016 Montana gubernatorial race Mar 8, 2015

Mark Perea: Gay people are just like anybody else

When asked for his opinion of the Libertarian Party in Montana, Perea said he agreed with them on many issues, including gay marriage "I don't want there to be a Libertarian Party. I want the Republican Party to be about freedom," he said. "I think the Republican Party is not supposed to be about big government and government control. I've been around a lot of gay people in my life. They're just like anybody else," Perea said.
Source: Bozeman Daily Chronicle on 2016 Montana gubernatorial race Feb 1, 2015

Steve Bullock: Still work to be done to ensure gender pay equity

Governor Steve Bullock released the following statement regarding the 100th Anniversary of Women's suffrage in Montana:

"As the state that elected Jeannette Rankin, the very first woman ever elected to Congress, Montana has a rich history of supporting women's suffrage. On this the 100th Anniversary of women's suffrage in Montana, Montanans should be proud of our past and continue to work to ensure all Montanans have access to a defining right of our democracy--a right so many fought for -- the right to participate in choosing our leaders.

While a woman's right to vote is here to stay, there is still work to be done to ensure full equality--including gender pay equity--in Montana."

Source: 2014 Montana Governor's office press release governor.mt.gov Nov 3, 2014

Amanda Curtis: Outspoken advocate for labor unions and women's rights

Montana Democrats have chosen a promising young state legislator to replace John Walsh in a U.S. Senate campaign she has little chance of winning but which party leaders hope can pull disgruntled voters to the polls for other races, including the state's lone congressional seat.

First-term state Rep. Amanda Curtis, 34, is a high school math teacher in Butte who won the endorsements of Montana's teachers union for her opposition to charter schools as well as the Montana Sportsmen Alliance before Saturday's party convention in Helena. Democrats are hoping her outspoken support for labor unions and women's rights will energize the campaign against U.S. Rep. Steve Daines.

Curtis sponsored several bills that didn't make it through Montana's Republican-controlled statehouse. Among them was legislation to increase the mandatory percentage of Montana workers hired for state public works projects. Contractors, especially in the energy industry, opposed the measure.

Source: Washington Times on 2014 Montana Senate race Aug 16, 2014

Champ Edmunds: Government shouldn't redefine marriage

Question topic: Marriage is a union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.

Edmunds: Strongly Agree

Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Montana Senate race Jul 2, 2014

John Edward Walsh: Voted against NAACP staffer's appointment to Dept.of Justice

John Adams represented British soldiers accused of murder in the Boston Massacre. He saved their lives. Twenty-five years later, Adams was elected the second President of the United States.

Debo P. Adegbile's office, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, represented Mumia Abu-Jamal, a black Philadelphia journalist accused of murdering a police officer. They proved that Abu-Jamal's death sentence violated the United States Constitution. They saved his life as his sentence was reduced to life without possibility of parole.

For his work, which was in the tradition of John Adams, the U.S. Senate denied Adegbile's appointment to be head of the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division. He lost by three votes. Sen. John Walsh cast one of those votes.

If courage is to be the centerpiece of Walsh's campaign, then he should demonstrate it on the floor of the Senate.

Source: The Missoulian on 2014 Montana Senate race Mar 11, 2014

Steve Bullock: Signed repeal of criminalization of gay sex under state law

SB 107: To revise deviate sexual conduct laws.

Analysis by The Atlantic: Under Montana's state legislation, gay sex, [before this bill, was] a felony punishable with up to 10 years in jail and a $50,000 fine. SB 107 would change the definition of "deviate sexual relations" in the state--a full 16 years after the state Supreme Court ruled that the language criminalizing gay sex as unconstitutional--and no longer lump in gay sex as the same kind of crime as having sex with an animal.

The bloc of 36 Republicans want to keep the law in place: "Sex that doesn't produce people is deviant," says Rep. Dave Hagstrom. Rep. Jerry O'Neil, who also voted against the bill, said. "If some 2nd-grade teacher wants to introduce her lover to the kids, there isn't anything that the school board can do to stop that."

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 38-11-1 on Feb/20/13; Passed House 64-35-1 on Apr/10/13; Signed by Governor Steve Bullock on Apr/18/13

Source: The Atlantic on Montana legislative voting record SB 107 Apr 18, 2013

Amanda Curtis: Repeal criminalization of gay sex under state law

SB 107: To revise deviate sexual conduct laws.

Analysis by The Atlantic: Under Montana's state legislation, gay sex, [before this bill, was] a felony punishable with up to 10 years in jail and a $50,000 fine. SB 107 would change the definition of "deviate sexual relations" in the state--a full 16 years after the state Supreme Court ruled that the language criminalizing gay sex as unconstitutional--and no longer lump in gay sex as the same kind of crime as having sex with an animal.

The bloc of 36 Republicans want to keep the law in place: "Sex that doesn't produce people is deviant," says Rep. Dave Hagstrom. Rep. Jerry O'Neil, who also voted against the bill, said. "If some 2nd-grade teacher wants to introduce her lover to the kids, there isn't anything that the school board can do to stop that."

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 38-11-1 on Feb/20/13; Passed House 64-35-1 on Apr/10/13; State Rep. Amanda Curtis voted YES; Signed by Governor Steve Bullock on A

Source: The Atlantic on Montana legislative voting record SB 107 Apr 10, 2013

Bill McChesney: Repeal criminalization of gay sex under state law

SB 107: To revise deviate sexual conduct laws.

Analysis by The Atlantic: Under Montana's state legislation, gay sex, [before this bill, was] a felony punishable with up to 10 years in jail and a $50,000 fine. SB 107 would change the definition of "deviate sexual relations" in the state--a full 16 years after the state Supreme Court ruled that the language criminalizing gay sex as unconstitutional--and no longer lump in gay sex as the same kind of crime as having sex with an animal.

The bloc of 36 Republicans want to keep the law in place: "Sex that doesn't produce people is deviant," says Rep. Dave Hagstrom. Rep. Jerry O'Neil, who also voted against the bill, said. "If some 2nd-grade teacher wants to introduce her lover to the kids, there isn't anything that the school board can do to stop that."

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 38-11-1 on Feb/20/13; Passed House 64-35-1 on Apr/10/13; State Rep. Bill McChesney voted YES; Signed by Governor Steve Bullock on

Source: The Atlantic on Montana legislative voting record SB 107 Apr 10, 2013

Casey Schreiner: Repeal criminalization of gay sex under state law

SB 107: To revise deviate sexual conduct laws.

Analysis by The Atlantic: Under Montana's state legislation, gay sex, [before this bill, was] a felony punishable with up to 10 years in jail and a $50,000 fine. SB 107 would change the definition of "deviate sexual relations" in the state--a full 16 years after the state Supreme Court ruled that the language criminalizing gay sex as unconstitutional--and no longer lump in gay sex as the same kind of crime as having sex with an animal.

The bloc of 36 Republicans want to keep the law in place: "Sex that doesn't produce people is deviant," says Rep. Dave Hagstrom. Rep. Jerry O'Neil, who also voted against the bill, said. "If some 2nd-grade teacher wants to introduce her lover to the kids, there isn't anything that the school board can do to stop that."

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 38-11-1 on Feb/20/13; Passed House 64-35-1 on Apr/10/13; State Rep. Casey Schreiner voted YES; Signed by Governor Steve Bullock o

Source: The Atlantic on Montana legislative voting record SB 107 Apr 10, 2013

Reilly Neill: Repeal criminalization of gay sex under state law

SB 107: To revise deviate sexual conduct laws.

Analysis by The Atlantic: Under Montana's state legislation, gay sex, [before this bill, was] a felony punishable with up to 10 years in jail and a $50,000 fine. SB 107 would change the definition of "deviate sexual relations" in the state--a full 16 years after the state Supreme Court ruled that the language criminalizing gay sex as unconstitutional--and no longer lump in gay sex as the same kind of crime as having sex with an animal.

The bloc of 36 Republicans want to keep the law in place: "Sex that doesn't produce people is deviant," says Rep. Dave Hagstrom. Rep. Jerry O'Neil, who also voted against the bill, said. "If some 2nd-grade teacher wants to introduce her lover to the kids, there isn't anything that the school board can do to stop that."

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 38-11-1 on Feb/20/13; Passed House 64-35-1 on Apr/10/13; State Rep. Reilly Neill voted YES; Signed by Governor Steve Bullock on A

Source: The Atlantic on Montana legislative voting record SB 107 Apr 10, 2013

Amanda Curtis: Repeal state ban on sodomy; make gay sex legal

38 legislators in the Montana state House voted on Monday to keep sex between gay people illegal, a fact that elicited a stinging rebuke from state Rep. Amanda Curtis in a video:

"The good news," according to Curtis, is that that the bill--designed to repeal a law that targets gay individuals--will move forward in the state House after a 60-38 vote. "The bad news is that there are 38 people in the House who think that's how their district wants them to vote, or they are not listening to their district and believe so strongly that gays should be felons that they have a moral obligation to keep it that way."

Curtis said it was hard for her to hold herself back from walking "across the floor" during debate on the bill in order to "punch" her colleague, state Rep. Krayton Kerns, who "insinuated that if you are gay you do not have a moral character." In 1997, the state Supreme Court ruled that the 40-year-old ban on sodomy was unconstitutional, but the state legislature has yet to repeal the statute.

Source: Huffington Post on 2014 Montana Senate race Apr 9, 2013

Matt Rosendale: Keep criminalization of gay sex

SB 107: To revise deviate sexual conduct laws.

Analysis by The Atlantic: Under Montana's state legislation, gay sex, [before this bill, was] a felony punishable with up to 10 years in jail and a $50,000 fine. SB 107 would change the definition of "deviate sexual relations" in the state--a full 16 years after the state Supreme Court ruled that the language criminalizing gay sex as unconstitutional--and no longer lump in gay sex as the same kind of crime as having sex with an animal.

The bloc of 36 Republicans want to keep the law in place: "Sex that doesn't produce people is deviant," says Rep. Dave Hagstrom. Rep. Jerry O'Neil, who also voted against the bill, said. "If some 2nd-grade teacher wants to introduce her lover to the kids, there isn't anything that the school board can do to stop that."

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 38-11-1 on Feb/20/13; State Sen. Matt Rosendale voted NO; Passed House 64-35-1 on Apr/10/13; Signed by Governor Steve Bullock on

Source: The Atlantic on Montana legislative voting record SB 107 Feb 20, 2013

Champ Edmunds: Marriage between one man and one woman

Q: Should marriage only be between one man and one woman?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Montana's anti-discrimination laws?

A: No.

Source: Montana Legislative Election 2012 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2012

Matt Rosendale: No civil unions; no same-sex marriage

Q: Should marriage only be between one man and one woman?

A: Yes.

Q: Should same-sex couples be allowed to form civil unions?

A: No.

Q: Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Montana's anti-discrimination laws?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Montana's anti-discrimination laws?

A: Yes.

Rosendale adds, "All discrimination is wrong, however, so is preferential treatment."

Source: Montana 2012 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2012

Sam Rankin: Supports same-sex marriage

Q: Do you support same-sex marriage?

A: Yes.

Source: Montana Election 2012 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2012

Sam Rankin: Phase out affirmative action over 5-year period

I would support a phasing out of affirmative action over a 5 + - year period. Born in the 60's to redress generations of unfair treatment of minorities and women, its aim was recruiting qualified minorities to give them an opportunity without guaranteeing the results. It is now close to a quota system, which is unacceptable.
Source: 2012 Montana House campaign website, srankin.qwestoffice.net Oct 14, 2011

Bill McChesney: Civil unions ok; but not same-sex marriage

Q: Should marriage only be between one man and one woman?

A: Yes.

Q: Should Montana allow same-sex couples to form civil unions?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Montana's anti-discrimination laws?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Montana's anti-discrimination laws?

A: Yes.

Source: Montana State Congressional 2010 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2010

Bill McChesney: Supports affirmative action

Q: Do you support the state's use of affirmative action?

A: Yes.

Source: Montana State Congressional 2010 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2010

Gary Perry: Would repeal gender anti-insurance discrimination law

A state Senate panel is looking at the plan to repeal Montana's 25-year-old anti-gender discrimination law. It bans the use of gender in establishing rates on everything from car insurance to life insurance. "It seems like we are about the last state of all 50 holding onto this so-called unisex insurance provision," said Sen. Gary Perry, R-Manhattan. "And because of that it has created higher rates and less opportunity to have more insurance companies and policies provided for Montana citizens."
Source: Insurance Journal on Montana voting record Jan 29, 2009

Michael Lange: No same-sex marriage

Q: Should same-sex couples be allowed to marry?

A: No.

Q: Do you support a federal constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman?

A: Yes.

Source: Montana Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2008

Michael Lange: No race and gender in federal contracting decisions

Q: Should the federal government consider race and gender in government contracting decisions?

A: No.

Q: Should the federal government continue affirmative action programs?

A: No.

Q:

Source: Montana Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2008

Ryan Zinke: No affirmative action in college nor state contracts

Q: Should the state government consider race and gender in state government contracting and hiring decisions?

A: No.

Q: Do you support affirmative action in public college admissions?

A: No.

Q: Should Montana continue affirmative action programs?

A: No.

Source: Montana Congressional 2008 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2008

Ryan Zinke: No same-sex marriage, nor civil unions, not adoption

Q: Should same-sex couples be allowed to marry?

A: No.

Q: Should Montana provide state-level spousal rights to same-sex couples?

A: No.

Zinke adds, "I do not support same sex marriages or the adoption of children by same-sex couples. I am undecided on the issue of same-sex civil union."

Source: Montana Congressional 2008 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2008

Stan Jones: Patriot Act cost us our Fourth Amendment rights

Q: What do you think about Executive Authority with regards to warrantless wiretapping?

TESTER: It deals with the freedoms that so many people have fought and died for. If we want to get serious about the War on Terror, we need to make the investments to fight the war on terror. We ought not be taking rights away from honest citizens.

JONES: e’ve lost our Fourth Amendment rights; now there’s no protection to our privacy. Senator, you’re telling me I’m guilty of being a terrorist first. All you have to do is accuse me, and the Patriot Act applies to me, and I’m guilty and have to prove I’m innocent. You’ve turned our legal system upside down. We have to turn this off.

BURNS: The Patriot Act is a tool that is in place now for drug kingpins and organized crime. Why don’t you want that extended to terrorists? If you repeal it, there goes the Meth Control Act, and the ability to monitor international phone calls from known numbers of people who want to kill us.

Source: 2006 Montana 3-way Senate Debate at MSU Oct 9, 2006

Judy Martz: Return human remains to Indian nations

Our pursuit of economic growth must include Native Americans. For the first Montanans, I am committed to improving the quality of life on our reservations. I have pledged to visit every reservation in Montana by the end of summer to better understand their needs, but more importantly their culture.

In the meantime, please send to my desk immediately HB 165, which will ensure the return of human remains to our Indian nations. There is nothing more sacred than burial, no matter what color you are.

Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Montana Legislature Jan 25, 2001

Corey Stapleton: No affirmative action in state hiring or colleges

Affirmative Action: Which of the following state agencies should take race and sex into account when making employment decisions: College and university admissions?

A: No.

Q: Public employment?

A: No.

Q: State contracting?

A: No.

Source: 2000 Montana State National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2000

Corey Stapleton: No civil unions; no gay marriage

Q: Should Montana include sexual orientation in its anti-discrimination laws?

A: No.

Q: Should Montana recognize civil unions between same-sex couples?

A: No.

Q: Should Montana restrict marriage to a relationship only between a man and a woman?

A: Yes.

Source: 2000 Montana State National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2000

John Bohlinger: No anti-gay discrimination, but no same-sex marriage

Q: Do you believe that the Montana government should include sexual orientation in Montana's anti-discrimination laws?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you believe that the Montana government should recognize same-sex marriages?

A: No.

Source: Montana Legislative 1998 National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 1998

John Bohlinger: Undecided on affirmative action at state institutions

Source: Montana Legislative 1998 National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 1998

  • The above quotations are from State of Montana Politicians: Archives.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Civil Rights.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
2020 Presidential contenders on Civil Rights:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)
Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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