Montana: Judge indicates state campaign law on judicial races may fall (Updated)

The state Republican Party moved for a preliminary injunction against enforcing a law barring political parties from endorsing, contributing to, or making expenditures on behalf of nonpartisan judicial candidates. Lawyers for the state argued that the law promotes “a compelling interest in making sure its elected judiciary is fair and impartial.” The judge declined to act before the June 5 primary election and later refused to block the law in advance of a September trial on the issue.