Hill County GOP decides to fight election fine

A week after learning it would be fined $2,500 by the state, the Hill County Republican Central Committee has asked an attorney to defend it against allegations that it broke state campaign finance laws during Havre Mayor Bob Rice's campaign last year.

The local GOP is now represented by Frank McGee, a Butte attorney and general counsel for the Montana Republican Party, according to a press release issued today by Brad Lotton, chairman of the local Republicans.

The county committee, Lotton said today, plans to fight the allegations and not pay the fine.

"The fine is appalling," he said. "The a...