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Senate Resolution 49, sponsored by Sen. Mike Cuffe, R-Eureka, passed the Senate on a 47-3 vote Tuesday. The passage of the resolution confirms the appointment of Chris Gallus, Gov. Greg Gianforte’s pick to lead the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices office, which enforces state campaign finance law and investigates related complaints.
Gallus, a longtime attorney and lobbyist for the Montana Chamber of Commerce and several conservative-aligned causes — some of which have appeared before the commissioner’s office — replaces Jeff Mangan, who resigned late last year.
Cuffe applauded Gallus for weathering questions in the Senate State Administration Committee last week related to how he would handle COPP complaints related to his past clients — Gallus has said he’ll recuse himself where appropriate.
Cuffe admired how Chris Gallus confidently stood up and answered the questions with utmost clarity.
Three lawmakers, all Democrats, voted against Gallus’ confirmation: Sens. Willis Curdy of Missoula, Jen Gross of Billings and Susan Webber of Browning. After the hearing, Gallus expressed gratitude for the chamber’s vote of confidence, though he jokingly bemoaned the fact that he had received three times the opposition as his predecessor — Mangan’s 2017 confirmation received only one no vote, from then-Sen. Jennifer Fielder, R-Thompson Falls.
Gallus mentioned after the vote that even individuals, including one person whom he had conversed with, approached him and expressed their inability to support the recusal matter. He further added that such occurrences are acceptable and inevitable.
He expressed anticipation for carrying out the necessary tasks in the commissioner’s office. These tasks involve applying the facts to the legislation established by the Legislature and making decisions based on that, as it aligns with our assigned duties.
