US judge strikes down Montana campaign contribution limits

HELENA (AP) — A federal court has ruled that Montana's campaign contribution limits are unconstitutional, less than a month from the state's June 7 primary.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Charles Lovell Tuesday is a clear setback for the state's Commissioner of Political Practices, who defended the strict limits that voters enacted in 2011.

Lovell's ruling said Montana officials did not prove that the limits "further the important state interest of combating quid pro quo corruption or its appearance."

The plaintiffs in the case, which include several political action committees and Republican central committees, claimed the limits restricted freedom of speech, association and candidates' ability to raise enough money to effectively campaign.