Martz chooses Constitution Party candidate in tied House race (MT HoR)

[Ediacara]

Martz chooses Constitution Party candidate in tied House race

By BOB ANEZ
Associated Press

HELENA (AP) - Gov. Judy Martz did the expected Wednesday, choosing fellow conservative Rick Jore over Democrat Jeanne Windham to fill a disputed seat in the Montana House.

The Republican's decision clears the way for a Lake County District Court hearing Friday in a lawsuit challenging the validity of seven votes counted for Jore, the Constitution Party candidate from Ronan.

A recount of the Nov. 2 election results showed Jore and Windham in a tie, allowing the governor to appoint the winner.

But the District Court lawsuit claims that seven ballots, marked for both Jore and the Republican candidate, should be counted for neither person, which would make Windham the winner in House District 12.

The outcome is critical to the balance of power in the House of Representatives.

More at the Billings Gazette

A lame-duck Republican circumventing due process to overturn the pretty clear will of Montana's voters.... Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out Judy!

[BayCityProgressive]

1. so does this mean

the state house will remain GOP now? That sucks!

[Ediacara]

2. I'm not sure

It all depends on what the court decides in the case of the 7 challenged ballots. If they decide to toss them, then Martz' appointment will not count and the Dem wins and we get a Dem house, if they don't toss them, then the House is GOP by 1 vote.