by Patty Franklin, Hamilton
In a recent letter, a former state representative from Missoula, Lyn Hellegaard, accused my representative in the Montana House of Representatives, David Bedey, of favoring voting by noncitizens and of supporting a bill that she claims would have given “driver licenses” to noncitizens. She goes on to claim that he wishes to “deceive you about his voting record and intentions in order to get elected.”
I have grown weary of this lie and every time failed Freedom Caucus members try their hand at this deception, they look more and more foolish. David has offered a detailed explanation in these pages (Bitterroot Star, January 7, 2026) of why his bill aimed at preventing voting by noncitizens was written as it was. One thing is clear: the intent of the bill was to verify the citizenship of those voting in our elections, something that is not currently being done due to a conflict with federal voting law. David found a way to get past the federal roadblock. Hellegaard and her Freedom Caucus comrades derailed the bill with the help of progressive Democrats. And as far as I can find, she did nothing at all during her time in the legislature to address the issue.
Hellegaard also would have you believe that David wants noncitizens, including those here illegally, to be issued driver’s licenses. So I looked up HB 275. This bill would have allowed a noncitizen who proved that he or she is in this country legally to apply for a short-term (two year) “driving privilege card” for operating a private—not commercial—vehicle. The requirements for approval include meeting all the standards that a citizen must meet to receive a driver’s license. What’s the problem with allowing persons who lawfully reside in Montana to drive on our roads, so long as they are qualified to do so?
I have known David Bedey for several years. We don’t agree on everything. But the one thing I know for sure is that he is a man of principle and integrity. He is an independent minded, traditional conservative who puts the interests of his constituents ahead of those of party bosses. He’s also one of the most effective legislators at getting good bills passed into law. That’s why Lyn Hellegaard and those of her ilk are distorting his record and impugning his motives. Their game is to gain power in the legislature by demanding ideological purity and obedience of those Republicans who wish to serve there. David stands in their way. I’m glad he does.
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