Tuesday’s Quick Hits

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Here are the topics that made today’s common sense commentary: 

  • Montana Campaign News
  • Montana Drag Ban Blocked
  • Luke Grimes & Montana
  • One More Thing

2026 MONTANA CAMPAIGN NEWS: 

The first two weeks of the MT-01 primary have been defined by heavy coverage of Republican Aaron Flint, the conservative radio host and combat veteran. 

His appearance at the Five Valleys Pachyderm Club in Missoula was covered by Lee Newspapers HERE. 

In Bozeman, the Bozeman Daily Chronicle caught up with Flint at breakfast and talked about the issues HERE. 

In the June 2 Republican primary, Flint faces Ray Curtis, Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen, and Albert Olszewski. The winner then faces either Ryan Busse, Russell Cleveland, Sam Forstag, or Matt Rains after the Democratic primary.

I expect all the candidates will be in Butte, America, for the St. Patrick’s Day parade. 

The Democrats have held debates, and more are scheduled. Meanwhile, the Montana Republican Party (MTGOP) announced that they are hosting a debate for federal MT-01 Congressional candidates on April 21, 2026, at the Calvary Chapel in Bozeman. The three candidates – Al Olszewski, Christi Jacobsen, and Aaron Flint – have been invited to participate. Flint has called for 16 debates, one in each county across Western Montana. (Source)

MONTANA DRAG BAN BLOCKED: 

In a press release sent to The Western Word, Upper Seven Law announced that on Friday, March 13, 2026, the Ninth Circuit affirmed a preliminary injunction blocking implementation of House Bill 359 (HB 359). HB 359 would have prohibited performing in gendered costumes in certain places. This decision gives force to the First Amendment, protecting all Montanans’ right to free speech. 

The Court wrote: “The drag-story-hour restriction plainly reaches speech that is widely accepted as appropriate even for young children. . . .  Cinderella, Elsa from Frozen, and many other Disney princesses could be described as adopting flamboyant feminine personas when they dress up in glamorous ballgowns and bejeweled tiaras.”

HB 359 banned drag performances in public schools and libraries, and imposed vague and ambiguous restrictions on performances in many public spaces when a minor was present. 

“Dolly Parton… has committed to giving a free age-appropriate book to every child under the age of five in Montana,” wrote the Court. “Under HB 359, she could not visit a library in Montana to read one of those books to children if she wore glamorous clothing and makeup consistent with her famously flamboyant feminine persona.”

The court’s ruling can be found HERE. 

I love and support free speech! 

LUKE GRIMES & MONTANA:

Yellowstone star Luke Grimes told podcaster Joe Rogan that not all Montanans have been happy with his move to Montana.  According to People, Grimes says some Montana locals have reacted negatively to newcomers, including writing “go back” on a car with California plates. He avoids public spaces in Montana to prevent confrontations, saying some locals try to provoke him. 

Maybe he should run for office in Montana, as fellow Californians Greg Gianforte, Steve Daines, and Troy Downing did. 

ONE MORE THING:

It’s about who stands in the rain with you when they also have a choice to be dry. Remember that. 

## HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY ##

5 thoughts on “Tuesday’s Quick Hits”

  1. Good Afternoon

    While these courts wins are correct and heartening, the conservatives in control of Montana are attacking our Constitution and legal system on a continual basis.

    The first step was to change judicial replacements to the

    Governor’s office from the selection process by the state bar commission. They are continually trying to make judicial elections partisan and between Knudsen’s continual flaunting of law to the passage of clearly unconstitutional laws, they are going to force a new Constitutional Convention to bring us back to the old Copper collar days of total control by monied interests.

    this issue is being virtually ignored by the press and Montana s in general. Say good bye to environmental protections and open government.

    • You are correct!
      The conservatives have done a lot of damage. The Democrats need to win some elections to get some balance back in the state government. -JmB

  2. How many Montana Republican laws is it now the courts have struck down or blocked on constitutionality grounds? Seems like there is another announced every couple months.

    The authoritarian Republicans in the legislature and Gov Gianforte really seem to despise the US and Montana constitutions and the rights and freedoms they guarantee individuals. They certainly respect neither, in their zeal to control our every thought and action.

    • I am thankful for our courts. The amount of money wasted by passing unconstitutional laws and then defending them in court must be staggering. -JmB

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