by Ken Toole | Jun 7, 2026 | Elections, Legislature, Politics, Republicans
Fresh off his resounding defeat of famous “RINO hunter” Randy Pinocci with 68% of the Republican Primary vote in Senate District 12, George Nikolakakos is now setting his sights on Montana GOP Chairman, Art Wittich.
“What he has done is divided the party, created a war, and now we are basically in shambles, putting Humpty Dumpty back together again.” Nikolakakos said in an interview with The Daily Montanan. He went on to say that Wittich should resign.
Republican Primaries. . .A Shit Show
Nikolakakos’ comments come on the heels of the most contentious and expensive Republican legislative primaries in anyone’s memory. But, in fairness to poor old Art Whittick, his autocratic reign of the Montana Republican party is only the most recent battle in the war that has been raging between old style Republicans like Llew Jones, and Nikolakakos and the Spanish Inquisition style Republicans known as the Montana Freedom Caucus.
Wittick pointed out that many of the Republicans the state party targeted for consorting with Democrats during the last legislative session benefited from help in the Republican Primary from Democratic consultants. Nikolakakos and other republicans received support from Fireweed, a Missoula based consultant group staffed by former labor and Democratic Party employees with connections to deep pocket contributors.
Wittick Not Backing Down. Neither is George
Not one for backing down from a fight, Wittick said, “If anything, I’m going to accelerate this process of looking at legislators’ votes and making sure they account when they are voting to weaken Republican leadership, voting to weaken Republican policies, and voting to weaken the Republican party,”
Of course, Nikolakakos is not one for backing down either. “With my first speech on the Senate floor, I’m gonna call him (Wittich) out and remind him I do not work for him, that I work for the people of my district,” Nikolalakos concluded “The more people fought, the better they did,” Of course, fighting is a lot easier in local politics when you can put about $100,000 of your own money into your campaign. (see our post on local legislative races and money https://wtf406.com/2026/04/tired-of-money-in-politics-buckle-up-for-2026/ )
Thank you to the Daily Montanan for it’s reporting on this story
Montana Republican Party called on to end GOP fighting
by Ken Toole | May 11, 2026 | Republicans
We all should have received our ballots in the mail over the Mother’s day weekend. Most of us know there has been a lot of game playing in the primary this year. Perhaps the most bizarre is two Republican activists filed as Democrats. James Whitaker filed in Senate District 12 and Mark Winters in Senate District 11. Both men have consistently lied about their political affiliation. Even the chair of the local Republican Central Committee has said he does not believe they are Democrats.
And speaking of sleazy electoral moves, long term local Libertarian Party leaders have filed as Republicans. Tony Rosales filed in House District 20 and Kevin Leatherbarrow filed in House in House District 22. This pair has run for office repeatedly. Apparently they are tired of being Libertarian losers.
We should not forget that our current County Attorney, Josh Racki and Sheriff Jesse Slaughter switched from being Democrats to join the Republican Party. Obviously both of them were more committed to their own political careers than the platforms of either party. Neither of them has a democratic challenger in this election.
All of this maneuvering is a product of the current war in the local Republican Party between traditional Republicans like Ed Buttrey and George Nikakalakos and Republicans who wear tin hats to bed like Steven Galloway and Randy Pinocci.
This is a photo of a voter guide put out by the far-right contingent of the local Republican Party. If you know people who plan to vote in the Republican Primary you should give them this list (After recommending counseling and deprogramming). Let them know these are the extremists in politics everyone is complaining about.
by Ken Toole | Mar 7, 2026 | Independent, Politics, Republicans
Most of us were stunned at the Machiavellian maneuvering on the last day of the filing period for public office in Montana.
After a brief period of “will he or won’t he file as a Democrat,” Seth Bodnar filed as an independent for Montana’s U.S. Senate seat on March 4 at 9:17 AM.
Some time after that Steve Daines withdrew from the Senate race.
Billings lawyer, Kurt Alme, filed to run for the Senate seat at 4:52 PM on March 4, just eight minutes before the deadline.
So here’s one reason for the last minute shuffle on the filing deadline.
Republicans understood that Seth Bodnar could be a compelling candidate if he filed as a Democrat. Much less so if he filed as an independent. Incumbent Daines is the strongest person to protect that Republican seat from a serious Democratic challenge.
Early in the morning of the last day to file Bodnar files as an independent which kicked off this Spy vs Spy conspiracy. Daines resigns. Hours later Alme announces he is running with the support of Daines, President Donald Trump, U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy and Gov. Greg Gianforte. Obviously this plan has been in the works for some time.
But why would Daines do this now rather than waiting until after the election? It’s hard to argue that Alme or anyone else in the Republican ranks would be as strong a candidate as Daines, who has the power of incumbency and $4.9 million in the bank before the race even starts.
The answer is simple. If Daines resigned after the election the process to fill a vacant Senate seat is that the State Republican Central Committee nominates three people, and the Governor selects from those names. And the truth is the GOP in Montana is dominated by far-right looneys and Daines and his pals didn’t trust them to nominate someone who doesn’t wear a tin hat to bed. Someone like Alme (who would be a big improvement over Daines in the Senate).
Or it could just be that Daines is a megalomaniac who couldn’t stand not choosing his successor.
You decide.
See our previous posts on the Montana Senate race
Handing Steve Daines The Next Election?
Open Letter To Seth Bodnar
Tester Disses Democrats
by Ken Toole | Feb 17, 2026 | Facebook, Fight, Politics, Republicans
The Conservative Choice for Cascade County! Vote George Nikolakakos
It all started when local Republican legislator George Nikolakakos posted an award he won from the Conservative Political Action Conference for conservative achievement. Sleazy Jake just couldn’t stand it, and the fight was on.
But first a little background. Most of our readers know that Nikolakakos is a “traditional” Republican legislator from Cascade County. The Liberty Bell, a far-right paper you find at some local stores, compares Nikakakolas and his legislator wife, Melissa, to Julius and Ethel Rosenberg. The Rosenbergs were convicted of espionage and executed in 1953 during the Cold War.
Jake Eaton is a right-wing political operative out of Billings. He has most recently aligned himself with the most right-wing elements of the Republican Party. Beyond that he has a long record of playing fast and loose with facts and money. For some details about Eaton, check out WTF406.com’s previous post. The background on Eaton begins about halfway through this post about attack ads directed at Matt Rosendale. https://wtf406.com/2023/10/rosendale-slimed-in-new-tv-ads/
Let’s Get Back to the Fight. It begins with George’s announcement.
(the below exchange is copied directly from Facebook. No edits have been made)·
Jake Eaton responds
In no world is George a conservative. He voted for higher taxes and huge increases spending. Along with supporting Democrats efforts to block judicial accountability. He could generously be called a moderate Republican. The only way you could call him a conservative is if you were referring to him as a conservative Democrat.
George Nikolakakos to Jake Eaton
I appreciate your “generosity” Jake! Why would our conservative Governor support these “higher taxes” and huge spending increases? No one buys that bullshit. Why do you hate our Governor so much? I’m proud to stand by his agenda and our accomplishments.
Also you’re right! I’ve knocked many thousands of doors… The way we turned Great Falls from blue to red in 5 years is because old school common sense conservative ex-democrats and independents have rejected woke BS and want normal people to represent them. Tester won my district while I won it by 25 points. That’s because the people of Great Falls still want independent minded, real, common sense conservatives, not burn it all down cos-play garbage.
Jake Eaton to George Nikolakakos
everyone can see that your tax shift raised taxes on farmers, ranchers and small businesses. They just look at the bills and see they are higher than last year – pretty simple. I’d think even a dimwit like you could read the tax bills and understand that. This legislature spent billions more than the Governor’s proposed budget. $1 billion alone in the Llew Jones bureaucracy slush fund.
George Nikolakakos to Jake Eaton
Funny because when I’m knocking doors I pull up I-tax and show people their tax bills. Almost every time it’s $500+ less. That’s because for 90%+ plus it is. And what they can’t see is the other 500 that would be higher if we didn’t pass the Governors Homestead exemption. Why are you standing with out of state Big Sky short term rental billionaires against hard working Montanans trying to raise families and retire here? Sad!
Eric Hinebauch, Chair of the local Republican Central Committee, to Jake Eaton
you are a hard one to figure out! You sure like to run your mouth against our local legislators, but here’s the deal Cascade County homeowners experienced real tax breaks. So keep running your mouth, but Cascade County knows better than to listen to some career hired gun. Jake you are the SWAMP in Montana, we need more George Nikolakakos’s and less SWAMP creatures like Jake Eaton!
Jake Eaton to George Nikolakakos
yes you shifted taxes from homeowners to farmers, ranchers, renters and small businesses. You didn’t reduce the amount of money being collected you just shifted who pays for it. Ask the renters who are seeing double digit rent increases thanks to your vote how much they care that you saved $500. Ask the small businesses paying thousand more on their commercial space if they care about their $400 rebate on their house. Also you clearly don’t even know what you voted for, the homestead exemption hasn’t even gone into effect yet, that begins in tax year 2026.
Jake Eaton to Eric Hinebauch
homeowners may see a break but thanks to the tax shift renters, farmers, ranchers and small businesses are paying more. We didn’t actually cut taxes or reduce the money being collected from property taxes we just shifted who pays it. Cascade county does have some good legislators, George is not one of them.
George Nikolakakos to Jake Eaton
lame talking points paid for by the folks who buy your mouth as a hired gun. Ag was made whole which is why Farm Bureau and others didn’t oppose our prioritizing real Montanans. Small businesses saw a cut. The big players who saw cuts at our expense over the last 10 years are back at less than inflation increases, still less than they paid a few years go. We’re not paying for your crony special interests anymore bud. And we cut every. single. human Montanans income tax. And we balanced the budget. And we saved for a rainy day. And we properly funded law enforcement, roads, trades education, firefighting etc. My comments are not bought and paid for my special interests. Who is paying for your commentary today?
Jake Eaton to George Nikolakakos
I like that you totally ignored renters and small businesses and tried to focus on ag, when in reality they are also seeing increases. The difference between us actual conservatives and big government republicans like you is that you are fine with every increasing government spending, we are not. We all want to fund firefighting, police and roads but there is room to cut local spending and reduce the overall property tax burden. For example the Great Falls city administrator makes $70,000 more than the Governor. In Billings it’s $80k more. The Great Falls Public Schools Superintendent makes $50,000 more than the State Superintendent of schools. In Yellowstone county it’s $75k more. These local budgets are even more bloated than Llew Jones’ state budget and there is plenty of room to cut and reduce property taxes across the board.
George Nikolakakos to Jake Eaton
when did you start caring about renters? I passed an overwhelmingly supported Elderly and Homeowner/renter tax credit increase and had the govenror sign my bill to cut millions in property tax relief on PTAP. Renters do well under the new law as landlords like me have seen decreases. I own dozens of rentals and have seen decreases as have landlord friends. Certainly administrators can work for less. I support local governments who control those decisions making them. You support centrally assessed out of state players getting relief on our backs.That’s because they pay your salary and for the the words coming out of your mouth.
So, what does all this mean?
#1. The Republican party is eating their own.
#2. It is laughable to consider Nikolakakos a “moderate” in view of his voting record.
(See our previous post: https://wtf406.com/2025/08/myth-of-the-moderate-republican/ )
#3. Republicans are attacking our freedoms no what matter what they call themselves.
by Ken Toole | Feb 6, 2026 | Republicans, Voting
After controversy about spending close to $200,000 of public funds sending campaign style post cards to Montana voters featuring a photo shopped picture of her standing next to Donald Trump, Secretary of State, Christi Jacobsen is in hot water again.
This time Jacobsen is being questioned about sending confidential voter information to the United States Department of Justice. On February 4, The Montana Free Press reported that Jacobsen said that she had “fully complied” with the Department of Justice’s request for an unredacted complete file of Montana voters which contain confidential information. Jacobsen subsequently denied sending the information. Correspondence to the Montana Free Press from an attorney in Jacobsen’s office said, “Your below referenced article is filled with false information, deception, and dangerously inaccurate assumptions that are causing immediate damage. You specifically state in multiple places in the article that the above was turned over. Such was not. A public voter file is entirely different from a confidential, unredacted voter file.”
Wow. They seem pretty angry and very definitely say they did no such thing. Funny thing is that Jacobsen’s office then refused numerous attempts by the Montana Free Press to obtain further information. Well, of course they wouldn’t respond. . . none of our Republican statewide elected officials talk to Montana reporters, nor do they meet with voters. It’s a page from their political play book.
Here’s a link to the full story.
https://montanafreepress.org/2026/02/04/secretary-of-state-christi-jacobsen-complies-with-federal-demand-for-montana-voter-data/
Also check out Helena Lovick’s post on Jacobsen’s post card fiasco.
Taxpayers Foot the Bill for Pricey Partisan Postcard
by Helena Lovick | Feb 3, 2026 | Money, Republicans, Taxpayers, Voting
A couple of weeks ago, Montana’s Republican Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen sent out a mailer with a picture of herself standing next to a constipated-looking, photoshopped image of dTrump. I was an unlucky recipient of said postcard along with about 467,000 other Montana households.
$200,000 Price Tag for Taxpayers
The postcard bragged about how the Secretary of State office is using a program to verify that only U.S. citizens are voting. It has come to light, thanks to Democratic Representative Kelly Kortum (D-Bozeman), that it cost taxpayers around $200,000 dollars to mail that dumbassery.
Privacy Violating Voter Program
The program SoS Jacobsen was bragging about is the “SAVE tool” and comes “free” from the MAGA Administration. In an underwhelming rollout, the SAVE tool managed to flag 23 potential non-citizen voters in all of Montana. Wow…..23! That’s….not a lot. But remember, we must threaten you with the terrifying possibility that a couple non-citizens voted out of 785,000+ total Montana voters. That sounds terrifying.
As more icing on the cake, the privacy violating SAVE tool may also erroneously flag voters and disenfranchise eligible voters.
Partisan Shmartisan
Aside from its naked partisanship, the postcard clearly served a political purpose. But the Gianforte-appointed Commissioner of Political Practices, Chris Gallus, disagreed and found that the postcard did not serve a political purpose in a complaint dismissal.
In response to the complaint dismissal by the CoPP, Christi Jacobsen posted a Facebook post on January 21st saying, “The lyrics that come to mind are: “You’re mad, I’m back, big mad. He’s mad, she’s mad, big sad – Haha, don’t care, stay mad” – 6ix9ine.”
Aside from the complete detachment from professional norms and civility, the quoting of 6ix9ine was quite the choice. If you’re going to quote a person as a public official, wouldn’t you want to do some minimal vetting so you don’t accidently quote a criminal? 6ix9ine is a felon with multiple felonies, including use of a child in a sexual performance, racketeering, gun charges, and drug offenses. But I guess Republicans have become more and more comfortable with felons thanks to felon-in-chief dTrump.
Hey! What About Our Money?
There remain unanswered questions about the postcard costs ($200,000+!?) and if the SoS office has turned over voter records to the federal government.
These shady actions are unsurprising from SoS Jacobsen. She has a long history of ignoring norms and illegal actions. Some of her greatest hits also include:
