HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced an advisory council to assist in reviewing qualified candidates to fill the district court judge vacancy in the Ninth Judicial District (Glacier, Pondera, Teton, and Toole Counties).

“Bringing decades of experience working in their communities, members of the Ninth Judicial District advisory council will support me in identifying an exceptional candidate to serve as their new district court judge,” Gov. Gianforte said. “I look forward to their input as we identify a judge committed to the fair, consistent, and objective application of the law and who will interpret laws, not make them from the bench.”

Members of the Ninth Judicial District advisory council include:

    Bill Bieler, attorney – Choteau
    Tyler Bucklin, Superintendent of Sunburst Schools – Sunburst
    Kwebb Galbreath, Deputy Water Director for the Blackfeet Tribe – Browning  
    Daniel Jones, attorney – Conrad  
    LeAnne Kavanagh, business owner – Cut Bank
    Brian D. Lee, attorney – Shelby  
    Paul Neal, attorney – Dutton  
    Michael Schultz, Chief of Police – Cut Bank
    Jen Stutz, Deputy County Attorney for Teton County – Choteau  
    Kiersta Sullivan, executive director of Front Range CASA – Conrad  
    Laura Swanson, Teton County Youth Court Services – Pendroy  
    Donna Whitt, city court judge – Shelby

On January 6, the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Montana notified the governor of a vacancy in the Ninth Judicial District.

On January 13, the governor began soliciting applications from and nominations of any lawyer in good standing who has the qualifications set forth by law for holding the position of district court judge. The application period closed on February 13.

On February 14, the governor initiated the 30-day public comment period for the two applicants, which continues through Wednesday, March 15.

The public has the opportunity to provide letters of support or other comments regarding the applicants to [email protected]. Applicants must receive at least three letters of support to be considered for appointment by the governor.

The governor’s appointee will be named no later than Friday, April 14, 2023.