High court nixes Mont. campaign spending ban

HELENA — The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 order Monday, summarily reversed a Montana Supreme Court decision and struck down Montana’s century-old ban on corporate spending for or against political candidates.

The ruling opens the door for corporations and unions to spend directly from their treasury on advertising and other “independent expenditures” promoting or opposing candidates in Montana state office elections this year, for the first time in 100 years.

Some Montana officials denounced the ruling, calling it a “blow to democracy” and vowing to fight it in the future. Charles S. Johnson/Missoulian State Bureau

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Idaho was among 22 states that supported Montana's efforts.