Swanson Seeking Chief Justice Seat
 | Author:
Cory Swanson
Candidate for Montana Supreme Court |
Swanson Seeking Chief Justice Seat
Nancy Marks
Reporter
Broadwater County Attorney Cory Swanson is running for chief justice of the Montana Supreme Court. In a news release announcing his candidacy, Swanson said he is committed to being fair and impartial.
January 11 at 8 a.m. is the opening date and time for candidates to file for election to state offices, legislative and judicial seats. The filing deadline is 5 p.m. March 11.
If elected, Swanson would replace Mike McGrath who is not seeking re-election. Also running for chief justice is former federal magistrate judge Jerry Lynch. Supreme Court seats are nonpartisan positions and are for terms of eight years. Also retiring from the Supreme Court is Associate Justice Dirk Sandefur.
Swanson, now in his third four-year term, has served as county attorney since 2014. In his announcement he said he handles a prosecutorial caseload of about 50 felonies and 300 misdemeanors a year. He previously served as a deputy attorney general in the state Department of Justice under Attorney General Tim Fox. He currently is vice president of the Montana County Attorneys Association.
“When Montanans go to court, they expect a fair judge who will issue rulings based on the facts and the law, not on ideology,” Swanson said. “I’m committed to being a fair and impartial chief justice, who will interpret the law and not legislate from the bench.”
Swanson attended Montana State University and Carroll College, where he was a member of the 1999 Fighting Saints national champion debate team. He graduated with honors from the University of Montana law school with honors in 2004.
Swanson is a colonel in the Montana Army National Guard. During his 26 years in the Guard, he has served on three deployments to the Middle East, including as commander of the 1-163rd Combined Arms Battalion for Operation Spartan Shield in 2022. He has been awarded the Bronze Star medal.
Swanson and his wife Julie and two children live in Townsend.
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PhotoCredit: Photo Credits: Cory Swanson
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Photo Credits: Cory Swanson
