Members of the public are invited to attend a forum with candidates running for the state Supreme Court, which will take place at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center, 1223 Mullowney Lane.
From left: Jerry Lynch, Dan Wilson, John Mudd, Cory Swanson and Katherine Bidegaray participate in a forum for Montana Supreme Court candidates at the Wilma in Missoula on Thursday. John Mudd, center, the executive director of the State Bar of Montana, moderated the forum.
The event, hosted by the Montana Farm Bureau and the Yellowstone County Farm Bureau, will be focused on agriculture and rural issues. A questionnaire to candidates posted on the Farm Bureau’s website covers topics including candidates’ agricultural experience, the most important issues facing Montana agriculture and the legislature’s role in implementing the constitutional right to a “clean and healthful environment.”
All four nonpartisan candidates have been invited, according to the invite. District court judges Katherine Bidegaray of Sidney and Dan Wilson of Kalispell are running for the associate justice position. Broadwater County Attorney Cory Swanson and former federal magistrate Jerry Lynch are running to be chief justice.
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The supreme court has previously made decisions related to abortion, environmental issues and housing laws. The court has the ability to block laws passed by the legislature from taking effect, leading to frustration from Republican lawmakers.
The event will begin with an hour-long meet and greet and then an hour of questions from the organizers. The event will also be livestreamed on the Montana Farm Bureau YouTube Channel.
Candidates have previously participated in forums in Missoula and Great Falls.
