After Conservative Backlash Over Legislative Collapse, RINO Removal Project Expands into Montana

A national campaign aimed at holding Republican officials accountable for voting against conservative priorities has established a chapter in Montana. The RINO Removal Project (RRP), which bills itself as a grassroots accountability movement, announced the formation of its Montana chapter this week under the leadership of political organizer Cat Holley.

Holley, a Sidney resident who helped organize online campaigns against Democratic Sen. Jon Tester and supported GOP Senate candidate Tim Sheehy, says the new effort comes in response to what she views as widespread failure by Montana’s Republican-controlled legislature to uphold conservative values.

“Sometimes God calls us to do more,” Holley said in an interview with Western Montana News. “This is my time to step up and hold our elected officials accountable. I’ll do my best to work in good faith to deliver for the hard-working people of Montana.”

According to Holley, the RRP’s Montana chapter will focus on replacing incumbents who have supported policies such as Medicaid expansion, the symbolic renaming of Columbus Day to Indigenous People’s Day, property tax hikes, and the failure to stop transgender medical procedures on minors after the Montana Supreme Court overturned a 2023 ban.

Holley also cited the legislature’s failure to pass a school choice bill in the 2025 session as a turning point, calling it a sign of GOP leadership caving to special interests. “We need courage and principle in our legislature—not scared lawmakers driven by special interests,” she said.

The legislative session ended April 30 with Republican leadership including Gov. Greg Gianforte claiming victories on income tax relief, teacher pay, and a property tax bill known as HB 231. But that bill in particular drew fire from conservatives, including the Montana Freedom Caucus, who called it the “worst property tax bill of the session,” citing a 40% tax increase on businesses and a 67% hike on property like inherited second homes and cabins. The caucus also lambasted the overall state budget, pointing to an 18% increase in spending while personal income growth in the state sits at just 1.9%.

The caucus isn’t alone in expressing dissatisfaction. Montanans for Limited Government wrote on social media after sine die: “The Legislature has adjourned. We give it a failing grade. Our scorecard will be published in autumn. Few will pass.”

Conservatives have also voiced anger over what they see as GOP leadership’s unwillingness to defend the legislature’s authority from judicial overreach. After the Montana Supreme Court struck down a 2023 ban on transgender procedures for minors, Republican leaders made no serious effort to respond or rein in the judiciary. Lawmakers passed HB 409 to curb the use of temporary restraining orders (TROs) in political cases, but critics say the effort lacked teeth. In Missoula, District Judge Shane Vannatta—a progressive gay judge whose past rulings have drawn conservative scrutiny—quickly issued a TRO on a separate law protecting women’s spaces, citing reasoning conservatives called legally flimsy and ideologically driven.

Earlier in the session, tensions escalated when the Montana GOP issued a formal rebuke of nine Republican senators—dubbed the “Out of Line Nine” by grassroots organizers—who were accused of siding with Democrats on key votes involving legislative rules, budget negotiations, and cultural issues. The Republican Central Committees in Missoula, Gallatin, and Lewis and Clark County formally censured members of the nine with the Montana GOP ultimately cutting off funding and support for the nine rogue legislators.

The RINO Removal Project plans to engage voters and highlight these legislative decisions ahead of the 2026 primaries. The Montana chapter will promote vetted primary challengers, host town halls, and roll out education campaigns through the group’s America First Academy. Holley has also been hosting weekly Montana Politics spaces on X as part of the chapter’s initial grassroots outreach.

Some critics have warned that efforts like RRP could fracture the Republican Party. Holley disagrees.

“We’re not here to tear down—we’re here to rebuild a Republican Party rooted in constitutional values, transparency, and bold leadership,” she said. “Montana deserves better.”

The Montana chapter will also utilize the RRP’s national scoring tool, called the RINOScorus, to evaluate Republican lawmakers based on their votes, public comments, and alignment with what the group defines as America First priorities.

Founded earlier this year, the RINO Removal Project claims a digital reach of over 19 million users and a $5.25 million national campaign budget. Its stated goal is to eliminate open primaries, resist ranked choice voting, and replace establishment-aligned Republicans with candidates committed to limited government, fiscal conservatism, and national sovereignty.