Don ‘K’ Kaltschmidt: Montana Democrats walk off their jobs

There’s no shortage of Democratic work ethic when it comes to asking for votes or begging for campaign donations. But when it comes to doing the work of the people when they do get elected, local Democrats are now simply choosing not to show up. 

The Legislature’s Law and Justice Interim Committee recently met to take public comment and vote to support or oppose an initiative to amend the state constitution. The two Democrats on the committee, Sen. Ryan Lynch and Rep. Donavon Hawk, both of Butte, skipped the meeting.

Lynch and Hawk didn’t explain their decision, instead letting party bosses do the talking for them. “Democrats will not participate in yet another sham committee hearing manufactured by Republicans,” said the minority leaders. To be clear, it was a normal committee hearing, one that occurred just like all others for ballot initiatives. Thanks to Lynch and Hawk not showing up, the official vote of the committee was a gift to us Republicans: unanimous in favor of our position. 

Similarly, Democrats are pledging to skip all of their work on another legislative committee, one meant to investigate how the judicial branch of government is overstepping its constitutional authority. The same party bosses have again issued their orders to not participate. It remains to be seen if any of the Democratic committee members (Sens. Shane Morigeau of Missoula, Mary Ann Dunwell of Helena, Jen Gross of Billings, Janet Ellis of Helena, and Andrea Olsen of Missoula) show up for work. They haven’t voiced their own thoughts on the matter, again letting the bosses speak for them. 

If I was a Democrat in Butte, Missoula, Helena, or Billings, I’d feel robbed of my representation. Democrats may not have a lot of votes in the Legislature, but they do have a voice. Choosing to not show up and to not use that voice is a decision that Ellis, Dunwell, Morigeau, Hawk, Lynch, Gross, and Olsen will have to explain to their constituents.

It’s also a warning for Montanans: while Democrats ask for your money and your vote, don’t expect them to actually show up for work if you elect them.