The Montana governor’s office is accepting nominations for a district court judgeship in the Eleventh Judicial District. As first reported by news.mt.gov, Governor Greg Gianforte announced on September 1 that he is seeking candidates to fill a vacancy in Flathead County. The opening stems from impending departures of current district court judges Amy Eddy and Dan Wilson, who are both running for seats on the Montana Supreme Court.
Nomination Process and Deadlines
The governor’s office stated that it is looking for attorneys who are in good standing and possess the legal qualifications required for a district court position. Interested candidates must submit their applications both electronically and in hard copy before the 5 p.m. deadline on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. Application materials can be found at nominatejudges.mt.gov.
To be considered for appointment, applicants are required to secure at least three letters of support. The governor’s office confirmed that all submitted applications will be available for public review once they are received. This transparency measure allows residents and legal professionals to examine the qualifications of those seeking the bench.
Public Comment Period
Following the submission deadline, a formal public comment period begins on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Members of the public may submit letters of support or comments regarding potential nominees through Friday, October 30, 2026. Comments can be submitted via the same online portal used for applications.
The Eleventh Judicial District covers Flathead County, a region with significant legal caseloads. The vacancy creates an opportunity to add judicial capacity during a period of transition at the state’s highest court level. With Eddy and Wilson seeking elevation to the Supreme Court, the district court in western Montana will require new leadership to maintain operations.
The nomination process reflects the standard procedure for filling judicial vacancies in Montana. Governor Gianforte has emphasized the importance of selecting qualified candidates who can uphold the rule of law in one of the state’s most populated judicial districts. The public comment window provides a month-long period for community input before any final appointment decisions are made.
Legal observers note that district court judges in Montana handle a wide variety of civil and criminal cases. The selection process aims to identify candidates with diverse legal experience and strong professional reputations. The governor’s office has not indicated how many applications it expects to receive, but the requirement for multiple letters of support suggests a competitive field.
