By following the money, it’s easy to identify fake conservative groups in Montana.
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This article traces the flow of funds from out-of-state donors through a series of political action committees and nonprofit organizations into Montana political campaigns. All figures are drawn from the source documents listed below. Where a figure represents an aggregation, the underlying line items are identified.
Source documents: OpenSecrets PAC donor records (Guarantee PAC, Unite America PAC, Way Back PAC, Western Futures Fund); Montana Commissioner of Political Practices expenditure filings; IRS Form 990, Western Futures Fund Inc.; Montana Secretary of State corporate filings, Fireweed Campaigns Inc.; MFPE staff directory; LinkedIn profile data; WPLN FAQ page.
1. Unite America PAC: National Donors
Unite America PAC received 205 large ($200+) individual contributions during the 2023–2024 election cycle. The largest donors, as reported on OpenSecrets, were:
| Donor | Location | Occupation/Affiliation | Total Contributed |
| Kathryn Murdoch | New York, NY | Quadrivium | $4,250,000 |
| Michael Bloomberg | New York, NY | Founder | $2,500,000 |
| Marc Merrill | Santa Monica, CA | Riot Games | $2,645,000 |
| David Randolph Peeler | Cambridge, MA | Berkshire Partners | $1,745,000 |
| Arthur Blank | Atlanta, GA | Atlanta Falcons | $2,000,000 |
| Sam Walton | Larkspur, CA | Restoration Works, LLC | $850,000 |
| Jason Carroll | New York, NY | Hudson River Trading | $745,000 |
| John Arnold | Houston, TX | Arnold Ventures | $1,250,000 |
| Marc Merrill (2nd contribution) | Santa Monica, CA | Riot Games | $500,000 |
| Randy Peeler | Cambridge, MA | Berkshire Partners | $495,000 |
| Kent Thiry | Cherry Hills, CO | DaVita, Inc. | $345,000 |
1.1 Unite America PAC Disbursements to Montana
The following contributions from Unite America PAC and its affiliated entities to Montana-registered committees are documented in the combined.xlsx file:
| Recipient Committee | Amount | Date | Line Item |
| Montanans for Election Reform Action Fund | $700,000 | 04/15/2024 | Federal PAC |
| Montanans for Election Reform Action Fund | $500,000 | 02/09/2024 | Federal PAC |
| Montanans for Election Reform Action Fund | $500,000 | 05/21/2024 | Federal PAC |
| Montanans for Election Reform Action Fund | $250,000 | 09/06/2024 | Federal PAC |
| Montanans for Election Reform Action Fund | $150,000 | 09/17/2024 | Federal PAC |
| Montanans for Election Reform Action Fund | $67,500 | 10/11/2024 | Federal PAC |
| Montanans for Election Reform Action Fund | $10,000 (in-kind) | 08/09/2024 | Federal PAC |
| Working Montana PAC | $125,000 | 04/12/2024 | Ind. Committee Contributions |
| Conservatives4MT | $75,000 | 04/26/2024 | Ind. Committee Contributions |
| Montanans for Responsible Stewardship | $50,000 | 04/26/2024 | Ind. Committee Contributions |
| Montana Values Action Fund | $50,000 | 09/24/2024 | Ind. Committee Contributions |
Total documented Unite America PAC and affiliate transfers to Montana committees: approximately $2,467,500 in cash plus $10,000 in-kind.
2. Guarantee PAC
Guarantee PAC reported 6 large contributions during the 2023–2024 cycle:
| Donor | Location | Occupation | Date | Amount |
| John Arnold | Houston, TX | Not Employed | 12/28/2023 | $307,500 |
| Way Back PAC | Sheridan, WY | — | 10/28/2024 | $250,000 |
| Rory Gates | Redmond, WA | Afghanistan War Commission | 06/18/2024 | $45,000 |
| Rory Gates | Redmond, WA | Afghanistan War Commission | 06/18/2024 | $5,000 |
Guarantee PAC’s documented disbursements to Montana committees:
| Recipient Committee | Amount | Date |
| Conservatives4MT | $80,000 | 04/18/2024 |
| Montana Democratic Party | $50,000 | 09/25/2024 |
The $80,000 transfer from Guarantee PAC to Conservatives4MT occurred on April 18, 2024. Arnold is also a top donor to Unite America PAC ($1,250,000), which separately contributed $75,000 to Conservatives4MT. Way Back PAC, Guarantee PAC, and Unite America PAC share overlapping donor networks, and their combined contributions to Conservatives4MT totaled $155,000.
3. Way Back PAC
Way Back PAC (Sheridan, Wyoming) reported 33 large contributions during the 2023–2024 cycle. Its largest donors included:
| Donor | Location | Amount(s) |
| Global Impact Social Welfare Fund, Inc. | Alexandria, VA | $500,000 |
| Toolbox | Arlington, VA | $300,000 + $150,000 |
| Guardian of Rights Fund | Miami Lakes, FL | $250,000 |
| Django Bonderman | Fort Worth, TX | $160,000 + $160,000 |
| James Pigott | Seattle, WA | $100,000 + $70,000 + $50,000 |
| Western Futures Fund | Sheridan, WY | $100,000 + $50,000 |
| Samuel R. Walton | Larkspur, CA | $100,000 |
| Regan Pritzker | San Francisco, CA | $95,000 |
| Cale Bonderman | Fort Worth, TX | $40,000 |
| David Bayer-Slifka | Rye, NY | $35,000 |
Way Back PAC’s documented disbursements to Montana:
| Recipient | Amount | Date |
| Montana Democratic Party | $50,000 | 09/04/2024 |
| Montana Democratic Party | $5,000 | 08/22/2025 |
| Montana Democratic Party | $2,500 | 04/04/2025 |
| Guarantee PAC (which then disbursed to MT) | $250,000 | 10/28/2024 |
Samuel R. Walton also appears as a donor to Unite America PAC ($850,000). Global Impact Social Welfare Fund, which gave $500,000 to Way Back PAC, separately gave $2,620,000 to Montanans Securing Reproductive Rights and $100,000 to Montanans for Nonpartisan Courts through its Montana arm (GISWF – Montana).
4. Western Futures Fund
Western Futures Fund is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization registered in Sheridan, Wyoming. As a social welfare organization, it is not required to disclose its donors publicly. Its documented disbursements, per OpenSecrets, totaled $2,675,000 during the 2023–2024 cycle:
| Recipient | Amount | Date |
| Retire Career Politicians | $470,000 | 10/15/2024 |
| Retire Career Politicians | $250,000 | 10/10/2024 |
| Retire Career Politicians | $250,000 | 10/02/2024 |
| Your Community PAC | $1,500,000 | 08/25/2024 |
| Way Back PAC | $100,000 | 10/10/2024 |
| Way Back PAC | $50,000 | 08/03/2023 |
| Open Democracy PAC | $55,000 | 09/21/2023 |
Western Futures Fund also made direct contributions to Montana committees documented in combined.xlsx:
| Recipient | Amount | Date |
| Montana Values Action Fund | $100,000 | 10/04/2022 |
| Montana Values Action Fund | $50,000 | 09/23/2025 |
| Montanans for Election Reform Action Fund | $100,000 | 10/10/2024 |
| Montanans for Nonpartisan Courts | $10,000 | 09/30/2025 |
4.1 Western Futures Fund — Fireweed Campaigns Payment
Western Futures Fund’s IRS Form 990 (2024) lists three independent contractors compensated more than $100,000. Among them is Fireweed Campaigns Inc. of Helena, Montana, which received $107,500 for “Project Management.” The other two contractors were Ascend Digital Strategies LLC ($225,215 for project management) and Cerillion N4 Partners LLC ($137,824 for advertising).
5. Fireweed Campaigns Inc.
Fireweed Campaigns Inc. is a Montana domestic profit corporation registered with the Montana Secretary of State (File No. D1414685). Its stated business purpose is “General Consulting Services for Campaigns and Organizations.” Its principal office is at PO Box 87 / 1003 Highland Street, Helena, MT 59624.
Corporate officers and personnel:
| Name | Role at Fireweed | Other Affiliations (per source documents) |
| Lauren Caldwell | President, Director, Registered Agent | Political Director, Montana Federation of Public Employees (MFPE); works on campaigns from school mill levies to candidate elections; member of MFPE legislative lobby team |
| Kiah Abbey | Other Officer (signed 2026 annual report) | Principal, Marigold Creative Strategies LLC; Board Treasurer, Montana Abortion Access Program; former Secretary, Missoula Tenants Union; former Montana Voices Program Director, Western Organization of Resource Councils |
5.1 Fireweed Campaigns — Payments from Candidate Campaigns
The following Montana candidates paid Fireweed Campaigns for campaign management and related services:
| Candidate | Office | Total Paid to Fireweed | Period |
| Michele R. Binkley | House District 85 | $8,004.30 | 2024 Primary |
| Elena Evans | PSC District 4 | $48,893.26 | 2024 General |
| Gregory L. Frazer | Senate District 38 | $8,850.47 | 2024 Primary |
| Janna S. Hafer | House District 51 | $16,420.63 | 2024 General |
| Lee W. Huestis | House District 9 | $8,095.62 | 2024 Primary |
| Joshua J. Kassmier | Senate District 13 | $8,461.92 | 2024 Primary |
| Michael L. Nelson | Mayor (Billings) | $21,613.66 | 2025 General |
5.2 Fireweed Campaigns — Payments from Political Committees
| Committee | Total Paid to Fireweed | Services |
| Montanans for Election Reform Action Fund | $132,619.66 | Monthly campaign management retainers ($12,500/mo), campaign plan, reimbursements |
| Montanans for Nonpartisan Courts | $126,299.19 | Project & communications management, coalition management, advising |
| Montanans Decide | $46,225.00 | Project management, coalition management, data analysis |
| Forward Montana | $6,525.00 | Professional services |
| Montana State AFL-CIO | $3,500.00 | Campaign plan and execution for Kalispell levy |
| Yes! For Helena Schools | $17,430.62 | Campaign management, canvassing services |
Montanans for Nonpartisan Courts shares its mailing address (PO Box 87, Helena, MT 59624) with Fireweed Campaigns Inc.
6. WPLN Action, Inc.
WPLN Action, Inc. (Women’s Public Leadership Network) contributed $100,000 to Conservatives4MT, making it the largest single donor to that committee. WPLN is a 501(c)(3)-designated nonprofit, the WPLN Action Fund is a 501c(4) fund. According to its FAQ page, WPLN has received funding from Democracy Fund, Pivotal Ventures, Hess Corporation, Verizon, and others. Pivotal Ventures is the investment and incubation company founded by Melinda French Gates.
7. Conservatives4MT: Funding Sources and Expenditures
7.1 Funding Sources
Conservatives4MT’s top donors, per the cfmtcont sheet in combined.xlsx:
| Donor | Amount |
| WPLN Action, Inc. | $100,000 |
| Guarantee PAC | $80,000 |
| MHA PAC State Fund | $75,000 |
| Unite America PAC | $75,000 |
| W. States Regional Council of Carpenters LIC | $30,000 |
| Bruce Tutvedt | $25,000 |
| Walter McNutt | $15,000 |
| Gary Maclaren | $10,000 |
| Duane Ankney | $5,000 |
| John Ward | $5,000 |
| Other individual donors (5) | $2,500 |
Of the $422,579.41 in total documented contributions, $330,000 (78%) came from out-of-state political committees: WPLN Action ($100,000), Guarantee PAC ($80,000), MHA PAC ($75,000), and Unite America PAC ($75,000). Bruce Tutvedt was the chair of Montanans for Election Reform. His group received $2,277,500 from the detailed funding consortium.
7.2 Conservatives4MT Expenditures by Candidate
Conservatives4MT spent a total of approximately $360,000, primarily through Edge Marketing and Design, on mailers, digital media advertising, and newspaper ads. The expenditure descriptions explicitly name the following candidates:
Candidates Supported:
| District | Candidate |
| HD 2 | Jenkins |
| HD 8 | Brockman |
| HD 9 | Huestis |
| HD 11 | Tracy |
| HD 18 | Jones |
| HD 20 | Nikolakakos |
| HD 21 | Buttrey |
| HD 23 | Tilleman |
| HD 28 | Albus |
| HD 29 | Moore |
| HD 38 | Oblander |
| HD 55 | Barker |
| HD 70 | Nicholas |
| HD 76 | Fitzpatrick |
| HD 77 | McMurray |
| HD 78 | Gregg |
| HD 85 | Binkley |
| HD 86 | Bedey |
| HD 90 | Cochran |
| SD 5 | Laude |
| SD 13 | Kassmier |
| SD 15 | Hunter |
| SD 35 | Shaw |
| SD 38 | Frazer |
| SD 44 | Rusk |
| SD 45 | Loge |
| (Valier) | Ross Fitzgerald |
Candidates Opposed:
| District | Candidate |
| HD 8 | Schubert |
| HD 18 | Coombs |
| HD 20 | Galloway |
| HD 29 | Knudsen |
| HD 76 | Kesler |
| HD 77 | Gillette |
| HD 78 | Bergstrom |
| SD 5 | Regier |
| SD 13 | Sheldon-Galloway |
| SD 15 | Knudsen |
| SD 44 | Manzella |
Several candidates appear in both the Conservatives4MT expenditures (supported by out-of-state PAC money) and in Fireweed Campaigns’ client list. Specifically, Michele Binkley (HD 85), Lee Huestis (HD 9), Gregory Frazer (SD 38), and Joshua Kassmier (SD 13) each received campaign management services from Fireweed Campaigns while simultaneously being the subject of independent expenditure support from Conservatives4MT.
8. Montana Values Action Fund: Distribution Hub
Montana Values Action Fund (Committee ID 9000, PO Box 8512, Missoula) received contributions from Unite America PAC ($50,000) and Western Futures Fund ($100,000 in 2022; $50,000 in 2025) among other sources. It then distributed funds to the following Montana organizations and PACs. The figures below represent the 2024 election cycle unless otherwise noted:
| Recipient | Total (2024 cycle) | Purpose |
| Montanans for Fair and Impartial Courts | $758,000 | General election support |
| Montanans for Freedom and Responsibility | $615,000 | General election support |
| Montanans for Liberty and Justice | $602,000 | General election support (incl. $60K primary) |
| Montana Conservation Voter Action Fund | $450,000 | General election support |
| Working Montana PAC | $445,000 | General election support |
| Montana Senior Vote Action Fund | $682,000 | General election support (incl. 2023) |
| Wild Montana Voter Fund | $295,000 | General election support |
| Montana Rural Voters Action Fund | $283,000 | General election support (incl. primary) |
| Western Native Voice Action Fund | $45,000 | General election support |
| MOFE PAC | $60,000 | General election support |
| Forward Montana Voter Fund | $27,000 | General election support |
| Montana Human Rights Network | n/a (2020 only) | General election support |
| Planned Parenthood Advocates PAC of MT | n/a (2020/2022) | General election support |
| Montana Rural Voters Action Fund (2025) | $85,000 | General support contribution |
| Montana Senior Vote Action Fund (2025) | $80,000 | General support contribution |
Montana Values Action Fund also made expenditures for polling ($27,289.43 to Lake Research Partners in 2025; $14,328.73 in 2020) and contributed $7,000 to Yes for Helena Schools in 2025.
9. Working Montana PAC: Independent Expenditures on Named Candidates
Working Montana PAC (Committee ID 12238) received $445,000 from Montana Values Action Fund and $125,000 from Unite America PAC during the 2024 cycle. It made independent expenditures—primarily mailers, phone banking, canvassing walk cards, and office rent for canvassers—in support of the following named candidates:
| Candidate | Office | Types of Support |
| Jeremiah Lynch | Montana Supreme Court | Walk cards, mailers, phone calls, canvassing |
| Katherine Bidegaray | Montana Supreme Court | Walk cards, mailers, phone calls, canvassing |
| Dave Fern | Senate District 2 | Walk cards, canvassing |
| Lindsey Jordan | House District 4 | Walk cards, canvassing |
| Debo Powers | House District 3 | Walk cards |
| Jane Weber | House District 19 | Walk cards |
| Paul Tuss | House District 27 | Walk cards |
| Denise Baum | House District 45 | Walk cards |
| Janna Hafer | House District 51 | Walk cards |
| Sara Novak | Senate District 36 | Walk cards |
| Scott DeMarois | House District 71 | Walk cards |
| Mark Nicholson | Senate District 24 | Walk cards |
| James Reavis | House District 47 | Walk cards |
| Greg Frazer | Senate District 38 | Walk cards |
| Casey Schreiner | Mayor (Great Falls) | Mailers (Oct 2023) |
The largest single expenditure categories for Working Montana PAC were phone banking through Stones Phones ($364,345 total, of which $347,572 was explicitly for live survey calls supporting Lynch and Bidegaray) and mailers through Navigate Campaigns and Beaumont Media (over $249,000 combined).
10. Global Impact Social Welfare Fund (GISWF) — Montana
GISWF – Montana made the following contributions to Montana committees:
| Recipient | Amount | Date |
| Montanans Securing Reproductive Rights | $1,220,000 | 07/25/2024 |
| Montanans Securing Reproductive Rights | $1,150,000 | 09/10/2024 |
| Montanans Securing Reproductive Rights | $250,000 | 05/23/2024 |
| Montanans for Nonpartisan Courts | $100,000 | 09/29/2025 |
The parent entity, Global Impact Social Welfare Fund, Inc. (Alexandria, VA), separately gave $500,000 to Way Back PAC.
11. Summary of the Funding Network
The documents reviewed establish the following chain of funding:
Tier 1 — Individual Donors: National donors including Kathryn Murdoch, Michael Bloomberg, Marc Merrill, John Arnold, Arthur Blank, Sam Walton, Django Bonderman, James Pigott, and others contributed to Unite America PAC, Guarantee PAC, and Way Back PAC.
Tier 2 — National and Wyoming-Based Intermediaries: Unite America PAC, Guarantee PAC, Way Back PAC, Western Futures Fund (a 501(c)(4) with undisclosed donors), Global Impact Social Welfare Fund, and WPLN Action (funded in part by Pivotal Ventures and Democracy Fund) served as intermediary vehicles. Western Futures Fund’s 501(c)(4) status means its donor list is not publicly available.
Tier 3 — Montana Receiving Committees: Montana Values Action Fund, Montanans for Election Reform Action Fund, Conservatives4MT, Working Montana PAC, Montanans for Nonpartisan Courts, Montanans Securing Reproductive Rights, Montanans for Responsible Stewardship, and the Montana Democratic Party received funds from the Tier 2 entities.
Tier 4 — Further Distribution Within Montana: Montana Values Action Fund further distributed over $3.5 million to allied Montana organizations including Montanans for Fair and Impartial Courts, Montanans for Liberty and Justice, Montana Conservation Voter Action Fund, Working Montana PAC, Montana Senior Vote Action Fund, Wild Montana Voter Fund, Montana Rural Voters Action Fund, and others.
Tier 5 — Candidate-Level Expenditures: Working Montana PAC and Conservatives4MT made independent expenditures supporting or opposing specific Montana candidates across dozens of state legislative, judicial, and local races. Fireweed Campaigns Inc., which received $107,500 from Western Futures Fund, simultaneously provided paid campaign management services to individual Montana candidates and to committees receiving money from this same network of funders.
This document is limited to facts established by the source records. It does not allege illegality or draw legal conclusions. All amounts and dates are as reported in the cited filings.
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