With the impending retirements of Chief Justice Mike McGrath and Associate Justice Dirk Sandefur, the spotlight is on the candidates vying to fill these crucial positions, including Dan Wilson, who brings a wealth of legal experience and a commitment to judicial integrity to the race.
Dan Wilson has deep Montana roots going back generations. An experienced attorney with a background in public service and private legal practice, Wilson has dedicated over two decades to practicing law after obtaining his law degree from the University of Montana. His career includes significant roles as a prosecutor, defense attorney, and civil litigator, providing him with a well-rounded perspective on the legal system.
As a candidate for the Montana Supreme Court, Wilson is focused on bringing a fair, balanced, and pragmatic approach to the bench. He emphasizes the importance of upholding the rule of law and maintaining an independent judiciary. Wilson is strongly opposed to activist judiciaries and his campaign centers on his belief in transparency, accountability, and the fair application of justice, aiming to serve the interests of Montana’s citizens effectively and impartially.
As evidence of his judicial philosophy, Wilson, as a Flathead County District Court Judge, held the constitutional line and demonstrated political impartiality even when many did not. During the COVID-19 pandemic under the Bullock Administration, Judge Wilson ruled that the state health department didn’t provide sufficient evidence that bars, casinos, restaurants, and stores violated the governor’s mask mandate and other COVID-19 mandates. He even indicated that if the state took the case to a jury trial, he would be inclined to award all defendants their attorney fees. The general election will be held on November 5th.
By: Montana Newsroom staff
