Montana GOP Expects Shift From Bullock

Montana Republican leaders expect incumbent Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock to shift politically in their direction as he enters a second term, following GOP gains in the legislature.  Republicans gained three Senate seats in Tuesday’s election and will hold a 32-18 majority.  They were poised to sweep every statewide office except the governor’s seat.
Bullock said during a Wednesday morning victory speech in Helena that he expects party leaders to come together “to do the right things for Montana.”  Outgoing Senate President Debby Barrett called on the governor to work directly with the Republican leadership, rather than the handful of GOP moderates that Bullock relied on to advance pieces of his agenda during the 2015 session.  Barrett vowed not to give up their calls for investigations into Bullock’s deletion of emails and allegations of retaliation against employees who raised concerns about wrongdoing.  House Minority Leader Chuck Hunter rejected the proposal.