AFP-Montana Announces Second Wave of Legislative Endorsements

Feb 11, 2026 by AFP

HELENA, MT — Americans for Prosperity–Montana (AFP–MT) today announced a second wave of endorsements in the Republican primary, backing state legislative candidates committed to restoring fiscal discipline, defending taxpayers, and returning Montana to a limited-government, pro-growth path.

The most recent legislative session marked a clear shift in direction for the state. In the most consequential votes of the session, a small bloc of Republicans joined Democrats to give the minority party a governing majority — advancing policies that significantly expand the size, scope, and long-term cost of government.

Those votes pushed through:

A left-leaning, progressive-style property tax overhaul that builds structural revenue growth into local government
An extension of Medicaid expansion, continuing a key pillar of Obama’s health care legacy at the state level
A 13.5% biennium-over-biennium increase in total appropriated funds
The creation of permanent taxpayer-funded childcare subsidies, expanding government into family and labor decisions, locking in new ongoing spending commitments.
The expansion of state-backed housing subsidies, which distort market incentives, and ultimately push prices higher instead of fixing the underlying issues that caused the affordability crisis in the first place.
The creation of automatic, ongoing trust-fund spending streams, entrenching new government programs.

Taken together, these were not minor adjustments — they were structural expansions of government. They lock in higher spending, deepen long-term obligations, and move Montana further from the limited-government model voters expect.

“Montanans didn’t elect lawmakers to expand Medicaid, pass progressive-style tax policy, extend Obama’s healthcare legacy, and create taxpayer-funded childcare programs,” said Jesse Ramos, AFP–Montana State Director. “They want fiscal discipline, accountability, and leadership that limits government instead of enlarging it.”

AFP–MT emphasized that the divide facing Montana is not about party labels, but about governing philosophy.

“This isn’t about Republican versus Democrat — it’s about whether Montana will limit government or continue expanding it,” Deputy State Director Henry Kriegel said. “When a small group of Republicans joins Democrats to hand the minority party a majority to radically expand the size and scope of government after voters were promised smaller government — voters notice. And they expect accountability.”

As part of this second wave of endorsements, AFP–Montana is proud to support the following candidates:

Linda Harmon — HD-29
Finley Warden — HD-13
Mary Horman — HD-55
Kim Dailey — HD-85
John South — HD-28
Tony Rosales — HD-20

These candidates have demonstrated a clear commitment to restraining government growth, opposing expansionary fiscal policy, and advancing reforms that expand opportunity and economic freedom for Montana families.

AFP–Montana will continue working across the state to support leaders who will restore balance, enforce constitutional limits, and ensure Montana remains a state defined by self-reliance, fiscal responsibility, and long-term prosperity.