by Rep. Kathy Love, HD 85
We all know the phrase “wolf in sheep’s clothing,” but there’s an even bigger danger here in Montana: Democrats in Republican clothing. Though Montana voters sent a conservative majority to Helena, a small faction of self-identified Republicans abandoned their colleagues and handed power over to Democrats, enabling a massive tax shift and growing government.
While Democrat leaders celebrated the session as a success, Republicans started working to ensure real conservative policies get passed in 2027. Now, the fake Republicans who empowered the Democrat minority are attempting to play victim.
One of them, Rep. David Bedey, wrote an article about “discord” in the Montana Republican Party (MTGOP). In reality, the only discord is coming from the likes of Bedey and swamp boss Llew Jones. Instead of watering down conservative principles and fracturing the Republican majority, they should just be honest with voters and run as Democrats or Independents.
Bedey claims the MTGOP is no longer a “big tent” party, having supposedly been limited to a “right-wing” definition of conservatism. Why does Bedey object to a right-wing version of conservatism, and how does he think the Republican base defines itself? Would he prefer a left-wing conservatism? As always, the MTGOP welcomes anyone with a genuine commitment to lower taxes, limited government, and stronger families.
Bedey also complained about being asked to complete a simple questionnaire sent to all self-declared Republican candidates. The prompts were straightforward, asking candidates about issues like the role of government, when human life begins, and how to lower property taxes. These questions get to the heart of fundamental differences between conservatives and liberals.
Although Bedey admitted that such questions matter to his voters, he nevertheless refused to respond, claiming that answers could be used to “purge” the party. Why exactly does Bedey think giving honest answers would result in his departure from the party? Voters can draw their own conclusions.
The article concludes with a desperate attempt to reframe the situation as a “people vs. the party” situation, rather than what it really is: fake Republicans undermining the will of the grassroots Republican base. Bedey seems to arrogantly believe that the platform of the party he campaigns under — and the voters that support it — are beneath him.
Bedey missed the mark. Political parties are built on shared principles and policy priorities. Voters have every right to decide whether he consistently represents those principles and advances those policies.
Lincoln once cautioned: “Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.” Republican voters are right to stand firm in questioning whether a person who allies with Democrats and attacks their colleagues has, in fact, put their feet in the right place.
Kathy Love is a representative of the Montana House for District 85. She is also a candidate for Senate District 43.
Mtek S. says
The wild, willful misrepresentation and imagination spoken as fact in some of these “comments,” is nothing but grade-school playgrounds antics.. You people don’t encourage facts or honor, just throwing shade in hopes of a hung-jury that allows for a win in your favor. Must be ugly money &/or extreme burro-politics in this crowd. Pretty sick. Mr. Bedey, run as the democrat you are, only shame is lying to those who vote for you as a republican without another choice.
mark says
Thanks Dave Beady ! Your Republican enough to me. Personally I’m tired of the
drama the Bircher wing created, trying to hang on to power. Now the Freedom Caucus squad doesn’t want to participate in the process ? Time for the “New Age Repub’s ” to disappear.
Kevin says
Thanks Kathy, good to understand the hidden agenda of political wannabee’s. truth matters.
Helen Sabin says
You need to read the Montana Free Press articles about the legislature and how extremists in the valley and state are trying to take over state offices such as clerk and records offices, Secretary of State, etc etc. along with taking control of the state GOP.
If you are a Republican and a registered voter you should be outraged that delegates to the GOP June officers election convention elected a man who was fined by the SUPREME COURT $68,000 for election law violations. Kathy is part of the cabal that elected this guy and made a laughing stock of every Republican in the valley. Bedey is one of the best in the state legislature and has passed 16 out of 18 bills in the last session. ALL of his bills benefit the valley or state. He is the man to be selected to be the next senator for SD43 – NOT kathy Love who never bothered to do anything for the people of HD85 last session. Oh wait…she did have time to do photo ops….but talkwith the people?? Bedey goes to every house in his district and will do the same for the people in SD43. ELECT BEDEY and let’s get Real Representation…..
MAH says
Take a look at how David Bedey votes – you will find he votes with democrats almost 50% of the time. AND remember he is the sponsor of HB402 that would have allowed illegals to vote. And was part of the “crew” who put the awful property tax bill together and pushed it thru!
Kathy Love is an honest conservative Christian who has and will continue to represent Ravalli County in the most conservative way.
David Bedey says
MAH: HB 402 had nothing to do with allowing noncitizens to vote.. Currently, citizenship is not checked when a person registers to vote, so we have no way of knowing whether or not a voter is a citizen. HB 402 would have corrected this situation by requiring the state to verify a person’s citizenship status. This approach was necessary because federal law prohibits election officials from asking a person to provide proof of citizenship. HB 402 was designed check citizenship without placing a burden on citizens and to withstand challenge in the courts.
helen sabin says
Kathy Love was present at the pachyderm meeting when Bedey explained the bill and how the NVRA # 1-2 allows illegals to vote if within five or ten days of a federal election. His bill was designed to stop any illegals from voting here in our valley until their citizenship could be checked. All of us heard the bill and so did Kathy yet two weeks later she lied at the Repubican womens club about the bill once again knowing fully its intent and purpose. The meeting fell apart when an election judge called her out for doing so.
Further, She is a dupe of the John Birch society. They sent out an action monthly directive to vote against the public schools – guess who voted against the public schools. She is the representative for Corvallis – Sula -West Fork and parts of Hamilton and not once did she go to the school districts and talk to the principals, superintendents or teachers about their needs.
You are probably also ignorant of the problems that Corvallis schools had in getting their kitchen rebuilt after it had to be torn out. Parents depend on the schools to keep their kids safe and to educate them while they work – kathy didn’t care.
To show that you do NOT know what you are talking about name three things she acomplished or stop showing your ignorance.
No matter what a local legislator does here until the Federal government gets rid of the NVRA 1-2 and puts in rules that STOPS illegals from voting untiil their citizenship can be checked, they will still be allowed to vote. Go LOOK It UP MAH and then be quiet please….
Kelsey Milner says
I get nostalgic for the republicans I remember from my younger days. Like my grandparents. They were reasonable people who were socially and economically conservative, believed in personal responsibility, and in minding your own business. They are turning over in their graves with the actions of the Theresa Manzella led portion of the Mt GOP. They would be 100% behind David Bedey.
Brad says
I admire your conviction in the absence of knowledge.
helen sabin says
I agree with Kelsey – Bedey is one of the best legislator we have and one of the emost effective. His voting record, his bills passed all benefitted the valley and its citizens.
Frank says
You are so far right, you behave like a liberal. Stop doing everything Theresa Manzella tells you to do and have a genuine thought for yourself. She was THE most ineffective Senator we have ever had. David Bedey has an excellent record and, unlike you, actually understands how the system works and what to do for the citizens of our county.
Charles Finley says
I guess being a Christian, Constitutional, Conservative, Capitalist is a bad thing to you?
Hsabin says
Charles, only our dear Lord above, can judge her Christianity, but I can judge her conservatism and her constitutionalist status. She’s I s hey John Burcher, who believes believe in nullification not the constitution. I feel sorry for anyone who took her constitutional course because she doesn’t know of what she speaks. She never mentions what the founding fathers wanted us to do or we’re thinking when they wrote the constitution. She only repeats what the Bechers have taught her or she’s learned from her wacko Buddy Robert Browne who offered $10,000 to anyone who could prove the 1787 convention wasn’t to run away. Many have done so but he has yet to pay off if you know anything about the history of the country, what the men said at the convention in 1787 and later, and have read the federalist papers, you will know exactly what I’m talking about.
Jack W Rhodes says
Voting 50% of the time with Dems is a good record? What planet do you live on?
David Bedey says
Jack: On average, Republican members of the House vote with Democrats 65% of the time. That is because quite a few bill are not controversial.