Campaign 2012

Judge orders Hill campaign to stop spending $500K donation

Posted: Oct 24, 2012 5:31 PM by Q2 News
Updated: Oct 24, 2012 9:42 PM

HELENA - The political dust continues to fly in Montana's race for Governor.

Late Wednesday a state Judge ordered Republican governor candidate Rick Hill to stop spending the $500,000 donation he accepted from the Montana Republican Party, until the court has had time to review the legality of the donation.

The ruling issued late Wednesday afternoon - came after a federal judge ruled the dispute should remain in state court.
Bullock's campaign alleges Hill illegally took donations above Montana's campaign contribution limits.

Hill's campaign claims it was following the law, as the half-million dollar donation was made after Montana's contribution limit laws had been thrown out by a federal judge.

Six days later, the 9th Circuit Court re-instated the law at least thru the 2012 election.

In Judge Kathy Seeley's order, Hill is directed to stop any media buyers from purchasing ad time while the case is reviewed.

Judge Seeley will hear oral arguments from both sides next Monday.

We will bring you reaction from both the Hill and Bullock campaigns tonight at 10:00pm on KTVQ.