by Doug Bohn, Victor
Mrs. Sabin claims “The Republican Party in the valley is under siege.” I couldn’t agree with her more. Yet, Sabin’s opinions lack indisputable FACTS, possibly due to her lack of attending past meetings.
Many of the candidates elected to the Ravalli County Republican Central Committee (RCRCC) in the recent primary were highly recruited and supported by Terry Nelson. Terry is the former chairman of the RCRCC and current Secretary for the MTGOP. Under Mr. Nelson’s 13+ year leadership, the RCRCC has supported “republican” candidates that rank in the lowest percentile of their constituents when graded on supporting Republican values. Most of those candidates lost their primary race to candidates who DO support Republican values.
Mr. Nelson advertised his endorsement for a list of 30 candidates in the Bitterroot Star under the heading “Terry Nelson’s Picks For Ravalli County Republican Central Committee”. Mrs. Sabin lost her bid to join their ranks.
Here are indisputable FACTS about those from Mr. Nelson’s list that were elected.
NONE of these “Republicans” were willing to endorse the Montana State Republican Party Platform at the official swearing-in ceremony held at the RCRCC meeting July 2nd, 2024. The State Republican Platform is adopted by Republican Central Committee members from across this great State via vote.
To avoid declaring allegiance to the Montana Republican Platform these individuals sought out being sworn in by the county election clerk. This is a first in most people’s memory.
What would you call individuals who seek election to a political party they adamantly oppose the principles of? What could motivate individuals to invest time and money to support such people? Especially considering the FACT that this particular investor is the recently displaced “leader” of this organization. I have a definition, what’s yours?
In the 2020, U.S. Supreme Court case California Democratic Party et al., v. Jones, it was held that an open primary (one in which non-members of the party participate) violates the free association rights of party members. Finding that political parties are private organizations and therefore have the exclusive right to choose who they allow to associate with, and represent them. Montana’s Open primary flies in the face of this SCOTUS ruling. That is one reason we have such a mess in the RCRCC today. Well, that and…