As of mid-day Wednesday, incumbent Montana Supreme Court Justice Laurie McKinnon appeared likely to hold on to her seat, fending off a challenge from Helena attorney Mike Black in the nonpartisan race, according to preliminary results from the Montana Secretary of State’s Office.
As of 12:20 p.m. Nov. 4, the SOS office reported a 14-point lead for McKinnon with about 70% of precincts fully counted.
It wasn’t immediately clear Wednesday whether Black had conceded the race. He did not immediately return a call from Montana Free Press.
McKinnon grew up in Maryland and holds a law degree from the University of Baltimore, according to reporting by the University of Montana’s Community News Service. She has lived in Montana since 1995, and previously worked as a deputy county attorney for Teton County and a special county attorney for Glacier County.
She was elected as a local district judge in 2006, serving for six years before winning a seat on Montana’s Supreme Court.
Montana Supreme Court Justice Jim Shea, who was unopposed in his re-election bid but subject to an up-or-down retention vote, appeared likely to hold his seat by an 80-20 margin as of mid-day Wednesday.
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