State of Montana Archives: on Crime


Steve Bullock: Block police from receiving some military equipment

Q: Restrict police use of force and increase public oversight?

Steve Bullock: Yes. Signed bipartisan bill blocking police departments from receiving certain military equipment. Promised to consult with Native American leaders before sending police assistance to Standing Rock protests.

Steve Daines: Mixed. Co-sponsored reform bill for more police accountability on use of force and an amendment blocking transfer of military equipment to police. Doesn't support efforts to cut police budgets.

Source: CampusElect on 2020 Montana Senate race Oct 10, 2020

Steve Daines: Don't cut police budgets, but more accountability

Q: Restrict police use of force and increase public oversight?

Steve Daines: Mixed. Co-sponsored reform bill for more police accountability on use of force and an amendment blocking transfer of military equipment to police. Doesn't support efforts to cut police budgets.

Steve Bullock: Yes. Signed bipartisan bill blocking police departments from receiving certain military equipment. Promised to consult with Native American leaders before sending police assistance to Standing Rock protests.

Source: CampusElect on 2020 Montana Senate race Oct 10, 2020

Casey Schreiner: Reformed child sex abuse law, justice for Indigenous women

He was proud to lead during the legislative session that delivered crucial reforms to the statute of limitations on child sex abuse crimes and gave law enforcement the tools to seek justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women.
Source: 2020 Montana governor campaign website CaseyForMontana.com Dec 31, 2019

Tim Fox: Endorsed by National Association of Police Organizations

On behalf of the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), I am very pleased to formally announce NAPO's endorsement of your campaign for Governor of Montana. NAPO's endorsement is upon the recommendation of our member group, the Montana Police Protective Association. NAPO is pleased to support your campaign and is confident you will continue your strong support of Montana's law enforcement community as Governor.
Source: 2020 Montana Governor race endorsements: NAPO Sep 12, 2019

Albert Olszewski: Supports death penalty

Q: Do you support the death penalty?

A: Albert Olszewski's answer: Yes

Q: Should terminally ill patients be allowed to end their lives via assisted suicide?

A: Albert Olszewski's answer: No

Source: iSideWith.com on 2018 Montana Senate race Jan 1, 2018

Greg Gianforte: Philosophically OK with death penalty; but is it worth it?

Q: Should the state eliminate the death penalty and opt for life without parole?

A: I have no philosophical objection to the death penalty; however, we should question if it is an effective deterrent to crime and if it is worth the price.

Source: Great Falls Tribune on 2016 Montana gubernatorial race May 10, 2016

Steve Bullock: Arrest and prosecute sex predators and scam artists

As Attorney General, Steve works hard every day to make our state better for the next generation of Montanans. Since taking office, Steve has:
Source: Montana Governor campaign 2012 website, www.stevebullock.com Nov 6, 2012

Amanda Curtis: No to capital punishment; yes to alternative sentencing

Q: Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?

A: No.

Q: Do you support alternatives to incarceration for certain non-violent offenders, such as mandatory counseling or substance abuse treatment?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana?

A: Yes.

Source: Montana Legislative Election 2012 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2012

Champ Edmunds: Capital punishment , but not for juveniles

Q: Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?

A: Yes.

Q: Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?

A: No.

Source: Montana Legislative Election 2012 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2012

Matt Rosendale: No capital punishment; yes prosecute minors as adults

Q: Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?

A: No.

Q: Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?

A: Yes.

Q: Should a minor who sends sexually-explicit or nude photos by cell phone face criminal charges?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support alternatives to incarceration for certain non-violent offenders, such as mandatory counseling or substance abuse treatment?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana?

A: Yes.

Source: Montana 2012 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2012

Bill McChesney: No to capital punishment; yes to prosecuting minors

Q: Do you support capital punishment?

A: No.

Q: Do you support alternatives to incarceration for certain non-violent offenders, such as mandatory counseling?

A: Yes.

Q: Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?

A: Yes. This is complex and I don't want to overreact. In some instances criminal charges are very likely warranted. So in some instances YES.

Source: Montana State Congressional 2010 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2010

Gary Perry: Key supporter of death penalty ban

In previous sessions, Perry was one of the vocal Republican proponents of a ban on the death penalty, which helped get that bill out of the Senate.
Source: Bozeman Daily Chronicle on Montana legislative voting record Apr 23, 2009

Gary Perry: Replace death penalty with life imprisonment without parole

Excerpts from legislation: SB 236: AN ACT: abolishing the death penalty and replacing it with life imprisonment without possibility of parole; revising eligibility for bail; and revising the affirmative defense of compulsion.

A person convicted of the offense of deliberate homicide shall be punished by life imprisonment without possibility of parole [was "shall be punished by death, life imprisonment, or by imprisonment in the state prison for a term between 10 and 100 years "].

The governor may offer rewards up to $1,000 each, for the apprehension of any convict who has escaped from the state prison or any person who has committed an offense punishable by life imprisonment without possibility of parole [was "who has committed an offense punishable by death"]

Legislative Outcome:Sen. Perry voted YEA; bill passed Senate, 27-23

Source: Montana legislative voting records: SB 236 Feb 17, 2009

Ryan Zinke: Replace death penalty with life imprisonment without parole

Excerpts from legislation: AN ACT: abolishing the death penalty and replacing it with life imprisonment without possibility of parole; revising eligibility for bail; and revising the affirmative defense of compulsion.Legislative outcome: Zinke voted YEA; bill passed Senate, 27-23
Source: Montana legislative voting records: SB 236 Feb 17, 2009

Michael Lange: Supports the death penalty

Source: Montana Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2008

Michael Lange: Reduce prison sentences for non-violent crimes

Source: Montana Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2008

Ryan Zinke: Supports death penalty but also hate crime legislation

Source: Montana Congressional 2008 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2008

Bob Kelleher: Alternative sentencing for non-violent offenders

Source: Montana 2004 Gubernatorial National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2004

Brian Schweitzer: Supports the death penalty

Q: What are your views on the death penalty?

A: I support the death penalty.

Source: 2004 Montana Gubernatorial National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2004

Brian Schweitzer: End parole for repeat violent offenders

Q: What are your views on crime & drugs?

A: I support ending parole for repeat violent offenders. I support vocational and substance abuse programs for non-violent offenders.

Source: 2004 Montana Gubernatorial National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2004

Judy Martz: After 100 years, we have enough prison cells, for now

For the first time in a century Montana has enough cells for those who are sentenced to Montana State Prison. For the first time in a long time judges know that if they send a person to MSP their sentence will be served in the place they belong. The Department of Corrections could be called the water heater of the State budget. It is something no one wants to spend money on. It’s not something you show off to your friends. And yet, it’s just plain necessary. Public SAFETY is our most important responsibility. Without it, everything else we try to do in society is jeopardized. In just eight years we’re nearly caught up in prison space after a hundred years of underfunding. Not bad. We have enough cells. For now. We have more probation and parole officers for more effective supervision. For now. Our Pine Hills juvenile facility will be receiving accreditation/certification for its new sex offender facility. We’re well equipped. For now.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Montana Legislature Jan 25, 2001

Corey Stapleton: Support death penalty; private prisons; sex offense registry

Source: 2000 Montana State National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2000

John Bohlinger: Supports stricter sentencing, including death penalty

Source: Montana Legislative 1998 National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 1998

  • The above quotations are from State of Montana Politicians: Archives.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Crime.
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2020 Presidential contenders on Crime:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)
Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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