A deputy attorney general will no longer be defending the state in a Republican challenge to the state’s open primary elections after the party accused him of misconduct. Deputy Attorney General Jon Bennion, a Republican, filed a motion Friday to withdraw as counsel from the case. “I submit this notice of withdrawal in order to prevent future misunderstandings with the Montana Republican Party and to facilitate future communications,” Bennion said in court documents. Two other attorneys from Attorney General Tim Fox’s office will continue to defend the state in the case calling for primaries in which voters can only cast ballots for candidates in their own party.
The GOP asked for Bennion’s removal earlier this month, claiming he violated a code of conduct. They say he called GOP executive director Chris Shipp asking about matters related to the case without first notifying the party’s attorney.
Specifically they said Bennion asked how the party generates voter mailing lists and identifies members.
Fox spokesman John Barnes said previously that Bennion regularly speaks with members of the Republican Party and the conversation included no mention of the lawsuit.
Full Article: Deputy attorney general withdraws from closed primary case.