Hogan: The Auditor’s office, which was created by our Constitution to protect insurance consumers and security investors, should be run for the benefit of the people of Montana - not for career politicians who want to use the office to benefit themselves 

Helena, MT - In a new column, Montana Democratic Party Executive Director Sheila Hogan explains why character matters in Montana’s state auditor race and highlights the stark differences between John Repke and corrupt political operative James Brown.

As President of the Public Service Commission, candidate James Brown has created a legacy of raising utility rates to historic highs, straining working Montanans and their families across the state. His shady political dealings and work as a lobbyist calls into question his ethics and the legitimacy of his candidacy.

John Repke has decades of relevant experience in finance fighting fraud and is a proven ethical leader committed to fighting for Montanans, not politicians or special interest groups.

The choice this November couldn’t be more clear.

Read more below:

Lee Newspapers: In Montana auditor race, character matters
July 6th, 2024
Sheila Hogan, Montana Democratic Party Executive Director

There is a stark contrast between the candidates in the race for state auditor. John Repke is running on his 40-year career in finance and his history of fighting fraud. Jim Brown, the Republican, has spent most of his career in politics and is currently a state employee in an unrelated capacity.

If this were not a political race, but an interview for the job, Repke would win hands-down. And that decision would not be made just on experience, but character as well. Brown is highly political and has embraced the worst of our political climate.

Brown has a track record that reflects his lack of character. He served as counsel to out-of-state dark money groups working to control Montana government for their benefit by targeting officials working toward common sense solutions. Brown has also worked to undermine Montana’s campaign finance laws — and has proudly stated, “Now, I stand obviously on the far side and I don’t believe that there’s too much money in politics, so it should be unlimited.”

What Brown is saying here is that he is perfectly fine with politicians being bought - because that’s what happens when folks with an agenda can ‘give’ unlimited amounts to candidates. That’s not good for Montana.

On top of all of this, Brown ran a partisan campaign for the non-partisan Montana Supreme Court two years ago, and, as chair of the Public Service Commission, Brown has hired inexperienced political cronies who seem to have done nothing but weaken the agency that protects ratepayers while they line their pockets.

Let’s put a stop to this. The auditor’s office, which was created by our Constitution to protect insurance consumers and security investors, should be run for the benefit of the people of Montana - not for career politicians who want to use the office to benefit themselves, their donors, and their cronies.

Character, values, and integrity matter. Please vote for Repke.