Buying Time 2012: Montana

In Montana, two Supreme Court seats were on the ballot for 2012. Judge Laurie McKinnon of the 9th District Court of Montana, attorney Elizabeth Best, and attorney Ed Sheehy competed in the state’s June 5th primary election for the seat of Justice James Nelson, who is not seeking re-election.

Published: May 4, 2012

For information on Montana’s spending, and all other television spending in state Supreme Court races, click here.

In Montana, two Supreme Court seats were on the ballot for 2012. Judge Laurie McKinnon of the 9^thDistrict Court of Montana, attorney Elizabeth Best, and attorney Ed Sheehy competed in the state’s June 5th primary election for the seat of Justice James Nelson, who is not seeking re-election. McKinnon and Sheehy received the most votes in the primary and advanced to the general election, where McKinnon won the seat on the bench. Justice Brian Morris also ran unopposed for re-election to his seat on the high court.

During the campaign, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit struck down a Montana law prohibiting political parties from endorsing judicial candidates. However, both McKinnon and Sheehy declined party endorsements because doing so was barred by the state judicial code of conduct. Sheehy refused any endorsements at all, but McKinnon accepted endorsements from several conservative groups.

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April 30, 2012– The Last Best Place

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An ad sponsored by the campaign of Elizabeth Best says she is the “Best for Montana.”