Montana Supreme Court Election Results 2026
Voters maintain the liberal majority on Montana's highest court despite recent conservative trends.
1Election Outcome in Montana
In the November 2026 nonpartisan general election, Amy Eddy secured a victory over Dan Wilson for a seat on the Montana Supreme Court. Eddy won the race by an 18-point margin, effectively succeeding outgoing Justice Beth Baker. This result ensures that the court's existing ideological composition remains stable for the immediate future.
2Candidates and Professional Backgrounds
Both Amy Eddy and Dan Wilson currently serve as judges on Montana’s 11th District Court, which encompasses Flathead County. Eddy was initially appointed to her judicial position in 2015, while Wilson was elected to his seat in 2016. Before their judicial careers, both candidates practiced law as attorneys in the private sector.
3Ideological Shifts and Labels
Although Montana Supreme Court elections are officially nonpartisan, ideological leanings played a significant role in the campaign. Amy Eddy has been described as part of the court's liberal bloc, while her opponent Dan Wilson explicitly identified himself as a conservative. Wilson received approximately 41% of the total vote in this specific contest.
4Historical Court Composition
The Montana Supreme Court has maintained a 4-3 liberal majority since before Justice Beth Baker was first elected in 2010. Baker, who did not file for re-election in 2026, was a key member of this bloc. Despite the state's recent conservative political shift, voters chose to preserve this long-standing ideological balance on the bench.
5Statewide Political Context
Montana has experienced a Republican trifecta in state government since 2021, signaling a broader conservative trend. Furthermore, the state has not elected a Democrat to a statewide office since 2018. This makes the retention of a liberal majority on the state's highest court a notable outlier in the current regional political climate.
6Future Electoral Cycles
The current liberal majority on the Montana Supreme Court is guaranteed to remain in place for at least two more years. The next major test for the court's ideological makeup will occur during the 2028 election cycle. Two seats will be up for contention, currently held by Justices Jim Shea and Laurie McKinnon.
7Upcoming Judicial Decisions
Justice Jim Shea is associated with the liberal bloc, while Justice Laurie McKinnon is part of the conservative bloc on the court. It remains unclear whether either justice will choose to seek re-election in 2028. Their decisions will determine if the court's ideological balance faces a significant challenge in the next cycle.
8Significance of Judicial Elections
State supreme court elections serve as critical battlegrounds for interpreting state laws and constitutional issues. By maintaining the 4-3 liberal majority, Montana voters have ensured that the court's existing approach to legal interpretation continues. This outcome highlights the distinct separation between statewide partisan trends and the judicial branch's long-term ideological stability.
Original article: Ballotpedia News — Montana Supreme Court Election Results 2026