Montana News
Democrats sue to remove Green Party Senate candidate from the ballot
With Montana News, I'm Eleanor Smith. The Montana Democratic Party is suing the state to remove a Green Party U.S. Senate candidate from the ballot. Democrats say candidate Robert Barb was unduly appointed as the Green Party candidate. The spot opened when the winner of the party primary dropped out of the race just an hour before the deadline to withdraw. If Barb is allowed to remain a candidate, he'll face Democratic incumbent U.S. Senator John Tester, Republican Tim Sheehee and Libertarian Sid Dowd in November. Democrats argue the Green Party didn't follow their own rules in appointing Barb and that he's actually a Republican. They point to Barb's donations to Republicans and his posts on social media. Steve Kelly, ballot access coordinator for the Montana Green Party, called the lawsuit a "bullying tactic." He says the Democratic Party is trying to suppress third-party voters that could take support from Tester. The lawsuit was filed in Lewis and Clark County District Court. It asked the Court to require the Secretary of State to remove Barb from the ballot.