The state’s attorney general and political practices commissioner have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review a 2012 federal appeals court decision that struck down Montana’s ban on political party endorsement of candidates in the state’s nonpartisan judicial races. The case involves an attempt by the Sanders County Republican Central Committee in 2012 to endorse candidates for an open Montana Supreme Court race and in a contested race for district judge in the district that includes Lake and Sanders counties.
Attorney General Tim Fox and Political Practices Commission Jonathan Motl filed a petition for a writ of certiorari with the court Monday.
Filing a petition for a writ of certiorari doesn’t automatically mean the Supreme Court will take up the case. The court is highly selective in deciding which petitions it grants. Legal websites analyzing the court say the court in recent years grants only about 1 percent of the petitions filed.
Full Article: Montana officials ask high court to review party endorsements in judicial races.