It’s Friday! These are the topics that caught my eye for today’s column: 

• ‘Chaos’ Clutches Republican Ranks
• No to Data Centers Rally
• Fundraiser in Evanston
• Photo from My Travels
• One More Thing

‘CHAOS’ CLUTCHES REPUBLICAN RANKS:

The Montana Free Press (MTFP) has a very well-written story posted about the “whirlwind week of conflict in Montana’s Republican political circles.”

Reporter Victoria Eavis takes a look at what happened this week with Representatives LLew Jones and Steve Fitzpatrick winning in court against Attorney General Austin Knudsen. 

Eavis also examines the “subplot” of the Montana Republican Party picking replacements. 

She closes her reporting with:

Over the last couple of days, multiple legislators have speculated on how the saga could impact the upcoming legislative session that gavels in early January.

“This is the calm before the storm, right?” Hovland (Holly Hovland, chair of the Toole County Republican Central Committee) said in a Thursday phone interview. “What’s going to happen when the session gets called in?”

Describing the last few days as “calm” might seem ludicrous, but observers of the 2025 session know that Hovland could be on to something.

I believe there is something undeniably funny—and deeply satisfying—about the idea of moderate Republicans teaming up with Democrats to choose the next leaders in the Montana Legislature. For years, governing pragmatists have been squeezed by their own party lines. Watching them flip the script by forming a surprise bipartisan coalition would be the perfect mix of strategic governing and pure, unadulterated political revenge. 

Read the complete story from the MTFP HERE.

NO TO DATA CENTERS RALLY:

There are several rallies across Montana this Saturday (August 22) to “Say No To Data Centers.” 

The Statewide day of action is sponsored by Northern Plains Resource Council. The goal is to demand a 2-year moratorium on data centers. 

You can find the time and location of the event in your area by clicking HERE. 

FUNDRAISER IN EVANSTON: 

It appears that Sam Forstag, a Democratic candidate for Montana’s 1st Congressional District, will head east to Evanston, Illinois, for a fundraiser. 

Evanston Now is reporting:

Sam Forstag, a Montana Democrat looking to flip a Republican-held congressional seat in November, will be in Evanston Wednesday for a fundraiser headlined by Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and Rep. Lauren Underwood, according to the fundraiser invite. 

It would be great if all campaign fundraisers were public so we can see exactly who candidates are spending their time with.

PHOTO FROM MY TRAVELS: 

I did not go into the store to see what the sale price was. Check out the “baby sale” photo HERE. 

ONE MORE THING:

Some people won’t admit their faults. I would, if I had any… 

## HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ##