Cory Swanson, the Broadwater County Attorney and Army veteran, officially declared his candidacy for the Montana Supreme Court this week, initiating a competition with former magistrate judge and liberal trial lawyer Jerry Lynch for the position of chief justice.
In a campaign announcement on the Montana Talks radio show, Swanson emphasized the importance of fairness in judicial decisions, pledging to be an impartial chief justice dedicated to interpreting the law rather than legislating from the bench.
During the announcement, Swanson, a 2004 graduate of the University of Montana law school, highlighted his commitment to delivering rulings based on facts and the law, not influenced by ideology. He urged Montana voters to demand a similar commitment from every judge and judicial candidate.
Swanson’s legal career includes serving as a deputy attorney general and holding the position of Broadwater County Attorney since 2014. In his role, he manages a significant caseload, handling approximately 50 felonies and 300 misdemeanors annually. Notably, he was involved in prosecuting a high-profile case related to the killing of a Broadwater County Sheriff’s Deputy in 2017.
Beyond his legal career, Swanson is an Iraq war veteran and holds the rank of a Colonel in the Montana Army National Guard. Over his 26 years of service, he has undertaken multiple deployments, including serving as the commander of the 1-163rd Combined Arms Battalion for Operation Spartan Shield in 2022.
