Internal GOP battle promises to continue

HELENA — Republican legislators left the Legislature even more divided then when they arrived, with warring factions promising a protracted fight for control of the direction of the Montana GOP.

From left, state sensators Jon Sesso, Jason Priest, Cliff Larsen and Art Wittich discussing their dispute over a budget bill that delayed the end of the legislative session. Wittich and Priest lead one of the Republican factions that emerged during the 2013 session, hinting at a future battle for control of the political party.

The unusual family squabble dominated many of the Legislature's biggest debates on school funding and many other budget and tax issues. And when lawmakers adjourned the two factions held separate news conferences.

A group of Republicans who joined Democrats to advance key legislation are billing themselves as the "responsible Republicans" who were willing to solve problems.

They say the "extremist views" of Republican Senate leaders stood in the way to the necessary compromise with Democrats who run the governor's office.

But Senate Majority Leader Art Wittich says the majority of the Republican caucus "rejected and repudiated" the ideas of the "splinter group."