Montana’s top law enforcement officer, state Attorney General Austin Knudsen, may have broken the law when he admitted that he recruited his primary opponent simply so he could raise money. In Montana, a candidate cannot raise more than $790 per donor in the primary if they do not have an opponent. Knudsen’s “opponent,” Logan Olson, has not reported raising or spending any campaign money.
Knudsen, who is already under threat of losing his law license as he faces a 41-count ethics complaint, has had a new complaint filed against his candidacy stating he should return the allegedly illicit funds he collected.
This reporting has led to a myriad of problems for Knudsen and Olson.
- The Montana Commissioner of Political Practices opened up complaints against Knudsen and Olson.
- Olson might not even be eligible to run for Attorney General due to his lack of experience practicing law.
- Knudsen’s presumptive Democratic opponent called on Knudsen to return the funds he allegedly raised illegally by recruiting a primary opponent.
See below for all of the headlines and tv segments that have been keeping Knudsen up at night.
Daily Montanan: Knudsen calls laws ‘ridiculous’ and says he got opponent to run so he could raise more money
The AP: Montana’s attorney general said he recruited token primary opponent to increase campaign fundraising
Montana Free Press: Attorney General Knudsen accused of soliciting ghost competitor for campaign finance purposes
KTHV: Campaign complaint claims Knudsen improperly coordinated with GOP primary opponent
WHEC: Montana’s attorney general said he recruited token primary opponent to increase campaign fundraising
Daily Montana: Knudsen’s primary opponent in Attorney General race doesn’t meet qualification requirements
Daily Montanan: Montana Commissioner of Political Practices opens complaints against AG candidates
NBC Montana: Ethics complaint raised against attorney general candidates
Daily Montanan: Democrat AG challenger Alke calls on Knudsen to disgorge funds, cooperate with COPP
Published: May 22, 2024