On June 4, 2024, Montana held a primary election for two seats on the Montana Supreme Court. The candidates competed to fill the seats previously held by Justice Dirk M. Sandefur and Justice Mike McGrath, whose terms will expire on December 31, 2024. Former federal magistrate judge Jerry Lynch and attorney Cory Swanson defeated attorney Doug Marshall in the primary for the chief justice position, while state district court judges Katherine Bidegaray and Dan Wilson defeated former Republican state legislator Jerry O’Neill in the primary for an associate justice position.
In the November 5th general election, Cory Swanson defeated Jerry Lynch for chief justice and Katherine Bidegaray defeated Dan Wilson for associate justice.
Estimated Total TV Spending: $1,478,680
Candidates:
- Estimated spending by Cory Swanson: $183,920
- Estimated spending by Katherine Bidegaray: $86,900
- Estimated spending by Dan Wilson: $79,990
- Estimated spending by Jerry Lynch: $14,710
Outside groups:
- Estimates spending by Planned Parenthood Votes: $934,730
- Estimated spending by Montanans for Fair and Impartial Courts: $160,320
- Estimated spending by Montanans for Liberty and Justice: $14,470
- Estimated spending by Montana Constitutional Rights and Liberties Coalition: $3,640
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October 30 – AT RISK
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Wilson sided with violent criminals, drunk drivers, and big corporations.”
Sponsor: Montana Constitutional Rights and Liberties Coalition
Estimated Spending: $660
October 15 – TWO PICKS
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “If they [Cory Swanson and Dan Wilson] win, you can bet they’ll do what their backers want: Ban abortion in Montana without exceptions for rape and incest and criminalize doctors for providing care.”
Sponsor: Planned Parenthood Votes
Estimated Spending: $934,730
October 8 – CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “On the supreme court, I’ll guard our rights, protect our freedoms, and keep politics out of the courtroom.”
Sponsor: Katherine Bidegaray
Estimated Spending: $86,900
October 4 – LYING ABOUT MY RECORD
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Have you seen the nasty, negative ads lying about my record as a judge and a public servant? . . . The truth? I am a fair and impartial judge and champion of your Montana State constitution.”
Sponsor: Jerry Lynch
Estimated Spending: $14,710
September 30 – DANGEROUS
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “When you look at his [Justice Dan Wilson’s] record, he sided with corporate wrongdoers, violent abusers, and child predators again and again.”
Sponsor: Montana Constitutional Rights and Liberties Coalition
Estimated Spending: $2,980
September 25 – RULE OF LAW
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “A judicial conservative running for supreme court to uphold the rule of law and keep politics out of the courtroom.”
Sponsor: Cory Swanson
Estimated Spending: $183,920
September 25 – FRONT AND CENTER
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Judge Bidegaray will stand up to wealthy developers, protecting our right to hunt, fish, and spend time outdoors.”
Sponsor: Montanans for Liberty and Justice
Estimated Spending: $14,470
September 25 – STREAM ACCESS
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Judge Jerry Lynch can be trusted to uphold all our Montana Constitutional rights, including access to streams and our public lands.”
Sponsor: Montanans for Fair and Impartial Courts
Estimated Spending: $160,320
September 24 – DEFEND CONSTITUTION
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Wilson is a judicial conservative who will follow the law and not legislate from the bench.”
Sponsor: Dan Wilson
Estimated Spending: $79,990
