How Dark Money PACs Are Trying to Buy Republican Primaries in Montana

Most Montanans don’t follow campaign finance reports. That’s exactly why groups like Conservatives4MT are able to operate in the shadows.

Here’s how the game works — step by step — in plain English:

1. The Money Comes From the Left
Conservatives4MT is a PAC with a conservative-sounding name. Their treasurer is Rep. Ross Fitzgerald, a close ally of Rep. Llew Jones, the de facto leader of the  "Solutions Caucus". But much of its money is coming from Way Back PAC, a liberal-leaning group based in Wyoming. In this cycle alone, Way Back PAC has sent $250,000+ to Conservatives4MT and another $250,000 came from the Western Futures Fund.

The Western Futures Fund itself received millions from the Sixteen Thirty Fund (1630 Fund), a major left-wing dark money organization that raised $282 million in 2024 alone. Major funders include George Soros and Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss.

Way Back PAC is also endorsing Seth Bodnar for U.S. Senate. Bodnar is running as an Independent. See their endorsements here. Seth Bodnar’s Senate effort appears closely tied to longtime Democratic strategist and Obama's former presidential  campaign manager, Jim Messina through years of personal, institutional, and political collaboration rooted in the Democrats' Tester-Baucus Montana network. The so-called Conservatives4MT independent committee would be challenged to explain why they’re accepting funds from a group endorsing the Progressive Liberal opponent to the GOP’s candidate for the U.S. Senate, especially when the balance of power in the Senate is up for grabs.

2. The PAC Spends the Money on “Independent Expenditures”
Instead of giving the money directly to candidates (which would show up on their campaign reports), Conservatives4MT spends it on ads, mailers, robocalls, and digital campaigns that support certain Republican candidates. This is called an independent expenditure.

3. The Real Goal
The PAC is helping more moderate or “Solutions Caucus” type Republicans win their primaries. These are often the same candidates who are also paying Fireweed Campaigns (a progressive-leaning consulting firm $3,900/month for campaign management services.

Real Local Examples:

Candidates receiving significant independent expenditures from Conservatives4MT:

• Shelley Vance (SD 34)
• Russ Nelson (HD 67)
• Jennifer Carlson (HD 68)
• Ken Walsh (HD 69)
• Llew Jones (SD 9)
• David Bedey (SD 43)
• Brad Barker (HD 55)
• and others

Candidates who are also directly tied to Fireweed Campaigns (hiring the firm or receiving coordinated donations from Fireweed staff):

• Shelley Vance (SD 34)
• Russ Nelson (HD 67)
• Llew Jones (SD 9)
• Ken Walsh (HD 69)
• David Bedey (SD 43)
• Brad Barker (HD 55)
• and others

This is a classic political trick: hide the source of the money and the coordination while still influencing the outcome.

Why This Matters
When out-of-state liberal money flows into Republican primaries disguised as “conservative support,” it tricks voters. Montanans think they’re voting for a strong Republican, but they may be electing someone who will work with Democrats once in office and in many cases, in direct opposition to the Republican party platform and principles.

The Montana Republican Party has already warned about this pattern and labeled many of these candidates “Fireweed Frauds.”

Bottom Line
If a candidate is being heavily boosted by Conservatives4MT, you should look very closely at who they really are — and who is really behind them.

Vote for the True Republicans:
Caleb Hinkle (SD 34), Jed Hinkle (HD 67), Randy Chamberlin (HD 68), and Trevor Walter (HD 69)

Vote Republican on June 2 and keep Montana red.