Senate confirms Motl as political practices commissioner

HELENA - Montana senators confirmed Jonathan Motl Friday as the state's commissioner of political practices.

Eight Republicans joined all 21 Senate Democrats in a 29-21 vote to confirm Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock's appointment. Motl's term will end Dec. 31, 2016.

Sen. John Brenden, R-Scobey, voted to confirm Motl while Sen. Kris Hansen, R-Havre, voted against his confirmation.

Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, joined in the unanimous Democratic approval.

Motl has decided 120 campaign practice cases since he was appointed by Bullock in 2013. The Helena attorney has come under fire during those two years for what opponents call a bias against Republican candidates.

"It's our duty to cast a vote that is not in our political best interest but in the best interest of the state of Montana," Sen. Frederick Moore, R-Miles City, said before voting against Motl's confirmation.

Moore said Motl has pursued cases against Republicans 11 percent more often than he's pursued Democrats; charged Republicans fines three times higher than Democrats; and reopened five complaints against Republicans that were previously dismissed.

Senators supporting Motl called attention to the work he did on a major campaign finance bill that was signed into law this session. Senate Bill 289 will require all political donations and expenditures to be publicly reported.

"If you can't do that, then you don't deserve to participate in the politics of Montana," said Sen. Sue Malek, D-Missoula.

Republican Sen. Jedediah Hinkle of Bozeman said Motl has a history of supporting Democratic initiatives and since being appointed commissioner has registered as a lobbyist and emailed Democrats about how to vote. Hinkle said Motl is the first commissioner known to have registered as a lobbyist.

"He was a political activist placed into a nonpartisan office," Hinkle said. "However, he's clever and found a way to act partisan within that office."

Malek said most state agencies lobby lawmakers for political outcomes and appropriations that could help their offices, whether or not they publicly register as a lobbyist.

Motl received a bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota in 1970 and received his law degree from the William Mitchell College of Law in 1975. He worked as a lawyer in private practice for 30 years, during which colleagues said he maintained an interest in election law.