Grassroots Republicans take action as local GOP committees censure state senators accused of undermining conservative priorities.
WRITTEN BY
Roy McKenzie
This story originally published in
Western Montana News, www.westernmt.news
Gallatin and Missoula County Republicans Censure Out of Line Nine as Pro-Life Group Supports Recall Effort
Grassroots Republicans are taking decisive steps, as county-level GOP organizations have moved against the nine Republican state senators previously rebuked by the state party for aligning with Democrats. The Gallatin County Republican Central Committee and the Missoula County Republican Central Committee have now issued formal censure resolutions against Sen. Shelley Vance (SD34) and Sen. Denley Loge (SD45), respectively.
Adding to the growing backlash, the prolife advocacy group Montanans For Life has expressed deep disappointment with the Montana GOP leadership for failing to take stronger action and has stated it would support a recall of the nine senators. From Rebuke to Censure: County- Level Backlash
In February 2025, the Montana Republican Party (MTGOP) issued a public rebuke against nine Republican state senators—referred to as the “Out of Line Nine”—for consistently voting with the Democratic minority and undermining the Republican-controlled Senate. While some GOP leaders felt the rebuke was sufficient, others within the party demanded harsher consequences.
MTGOP Executive Board member Brad Tschida was among those who pushed for a stronger response. During internal deliberations, Tschida supported a censure at the state level, arguing that a simple rebuke lacked meaningful consequences. However, the state party ultimately chose to issue only a rebuke rather than a formal censure. Tschida is also a member of the Missoula County Republican Central Committee, which has now.