Republican Rick Hill is appealing a federal judge's decision not to intervene in a lawsuit over a $500,000 donation to Hill's campaign for governor.
    
U.S. District Judge Charles Lovell on Friday denied a request by conservative groups to find Democrat Steve Bullock in contempt for filing the lawsuit. He also denied a request to counter a temporary order preventing Hill from spending the donation before a Monday hearing.
    
Lovell ruled Montana's campaign contribution limits were unconstitutional on Oct. 3, but the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals blocked Lovell's ruling Oct. 9. The Republican Party gave Hill the donation in between the dates and Hill says it was legal for him to take it while there were no limits. Bullock argues he must give it back now that the appeals court has reinstated the $22,600 limit from all political parties.