Heated Republican legislative primaries end with eight incumbents defeated

HELENA — Tuesday’s primary election was the climax of a bitter battle between factions of the Republican Party in the Montana Legislature, which led to millions of dollars in spending. After the dust settled, the more moderate and more conservative sides could each claim some victories. Eight lawmakers, all Republicans, lost their primary races. It’s the most incumbent legislators to lose renomination in a single Montana election in at least 20 years. The overall picture remains mixed. Six of the defeated incumbents were supported by the committee Conservatives4MT, aligned with the more centrist faction. The other two were part of...