Former federal magistrate (D) vies for opening Montana's Chief Justice seat

Once Montana's longest serving federal magistrate, Jeremiah "Jerry" Lynch has resurfaced from retirement to pursue Montana's upcoming opening for Chief Justice on the state Supreme Court.

That experience, the 71-year-old Lynch said in an interview Tuesday in Missoula, means he's well-versed in setting aside any personal persuasions in judicial decisions if elected.

That's a typical campaign line in judicial contests, but the stakes are a bit higher than the usual bid for the state's high court, which has been embroiled in conflict with state Republicans for more than two years. Since winning the governor's office by a wide margin in 2020 and expanding their majority in the state Legislature, Montana Republicans have openly railed against the judiciary for often ruling against their policy ambitions.

Lynch on Tuesday defended the Montana Supreme Court's conduct over the past two years, outgoing Chief Justice Mike McGrath in particular, and called the GOP's attacks "unwarranted."



https://missoulian.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/jeremiah-jerry-lynch-montana-supreme-court-abortion-republicans-election/article_038f89da-5ee7-11ee-b0b3-33ae1b533b38.html