Flathead Republicans censure Tutvedt

Claims he took CSKT money to support water compact

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The Flathead County Republican Central Committee unanimously censured veteran state Sen. Bruce Tutvedt, R-Kalispell, on Nov. 13, citing misconduct and efforts to undermine the credibility of local Republicans.

The committee accused Tutvedt of attacking GOP candidates in Flathead County and statewide “using deceptive, inflammatory and unethical allegations.” He did so through his personal and financial involvement with Montanans for Responsible Leadership political action committee and MT BASE PAC, the resolution said.

The central committee said Tutvedt solicited and accepted a $22,000 donation for the Montanans for Responsible Leadership PAC at a Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes meeting on May 14.

Tutvedt had assured tribal leaders he had a slate of legislative candidates he believed would vote to ratify the CSKT water compact during the next legislative session in 2015, the resolution states, and the money he accepted was used against some fellow Republicans in the June primary.

One of the legislature’s self-described “responsible Republicans,” Tutvedt voted with Democrats at times in the 2013 legislative session to pass bills over the objections of more conservative Republicans. He also has been active in helping Republicans who share his political beliefs against conservative opponents in Republican primaries.

Tutvedt disputed the central committee’s allegations, saying he had done nothing wrong and has consulted an attorney.

“The initial determination by the attorney was that none of my actions were in any way illegal or justified the basis for any form of censure,” he wrote. “In fact, the attorney suggested that the documents generated by the Flathead Republican Central Committee could be libelous.”

Tutvedt said the censure misrepresents his actions and maligns his character.

“On a personal note, as an individual of strong conviction, I find it disconcerting that the Flathead County central committee would take steps to intimidate me, an elected official, from holding an opinion and taking actions I believe best represent the majority of my constituents’ needs,” Tutvedt wrote. “It is my hope that this unjustified action soon fades into nothingness, thus allowing all of us to get back to doing the work we were elected to do.”

Tutvedt said the two political action committees “followed the letter of the law,” which is why the state political practices commissioner has dismissed all the complaints filed against the PACs and him.

The state senator was been a strong supporter of ratification of the CSKT water compact treaty in 2013, but it failed to pass. He said he has “skin in the game” because he’s “the largest irrigator in Flathead County.”

He said he didn’t attend the central committee meeting because he wasn’t told in advance about censure resolution against him.

Sen. Verdell Jackson, R-Kalispell, who serves on the central committee as a precinct member, said the censure amounts to “a slap on the wrist or a scolding.”

“He has taken the position that he’s the solid Republican and the rest of us are extremists, Tea Party members,” Jackson said.

Jayson Peters, chairman of the Flathead County Republican Central Committee, described the importance of the resolution.

“The only process available to us as a central committee was censure, an official statement of strong disapproval,” Peters said. “The decision was not taken lightly. It was a tough decision, but a necessary one to preserve the integrity of the Republican Party.”

Tutvedt defeated Peters and Rollan Roberts II in a Republican primary for the Senate seat in 2012, one of the most expensive legislative races in the state. Peters had withdrawn from the race, but his name remained on the ballot.