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Gov. Greg Gianforte announced Tuesday he is seeking public comment on applicants to fill the vacancy in the Twentieth Judicial District, which encompasses Lake County and Sanders County.
A news release said members of the public can provide letters of support or other comments regarding the applicants through Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 5 p.m.
The governor has received applications, posted at nominatejudges.mt.gov, from the following attorneys, his office said in a news release:
- John Mercer
- Thane Johnson
- Katherine Kuykendall
- Lacey Lincoln
- Kelly McDonald
Last spring, the governor appointed Mercer to the temporary post when the permanent judge retired. Mercer served the remainder of the term through early this year. The position opened again after lawyer Britt Cotter, elected as judge in November, announced last month he would not take the oath of office in order to defend himself from criminal drug charges.
The Governor’s Office directed members of the public to submit comments to nominatejudges@mt.gov or by mail to Attn: Hannah Slusser, Governor’s Office, P.O. Box 200801, Helena, Montana 59620.
Letters or other comments submitted will be publicly available and posted at nominate.judges.mt.gov, the news release said. Applicants must receive at least three letters of support to be considered for appointment by the governor.