How Montana Took a Hard Right Turn

New York Times Magazine: “Montana has a tradition of ticket-splitting and has long been one of the most politically independent states in the union… But in recent years, Republicans have managed to secure an ironclad grasp over state government, and the religious right is ascendant.”

“The rise of Montana’s Christian right has been enabled by the weakening of the state Democratic Party. It has become harder for Montana Democrats to separate themselves from the national party and, as a result, ticket-splitting has dropped… Changes to campaign-finance laws have also contributed to tipping the balance of power.”