Two District Judges Advance to Montana Supreme Court General Election

Dan Wilson and Amy Eddy will compete for an open seat on the state's highest court.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 8:04am

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A serene, painterly scene of an empty Montana state courthouse interior, with warm sunlight streaming through tall windows and deep shadows cast across the marble floors and wooden benches, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation about the high-stakes judicial election.The Montana Supreme Court election will determine the future direction of the state's highest court, with implications for key constitutional issues.Kalispell Today

Two state district judges, Dan Wilson and Amy Eddy, will face off in the general election for an open seat on the Montana Supreme Court. Wilson, a self-described 'constitutional conservative,' previously ran unsuccessfully for the position in 2024, while Eddy, who hasn't run statewide before, is emphasizing the nonpartisan nature of judicial elections and the court's role in upholding the state constitution.

Why it matters

The Montana Supreme Court race is drawing attention as the state grapples with key constitutional issues, including the right to a clean and healthful environment. The candidates have differing views on judicial philosophy, with Wilson criticizing the court's 'judicial activism' and Eddy pledging to focus on the constitution rather than political agendas.

The details

Wilson and Eddy are both state district judges in Flathead County. Wilson was elected in 2016 and describes himself as a 'constitutional conservative,' while Eddy was first appointed to the bench in 2015. Both candidates have said they want to maintain judicial impartiality, but they differ on how to approach that. Eddy is avoiding party-sponsored events, while Wilson has spoken at a Montana Republican Party event and received contributions from the state GOP.

  • The Montana Supreme Court election will be held in November 2026.
  • Wilson previously ran unsuccessfully for the position in 2024.

The players

Dan Wilson

A state district judge in Flathead County, Wilson describes himself as a 'constitutional conservative' and has criticized the Montana Supreme Court for 'judicial activism.' He previously ran for the position in 2024.

Amy Eddy

A state district judge in Flathead County, Eddy is emphasizing the nonpartisan nature of judicial elections and the court's role in upholding the state constitution. She has not run for statewide office before.

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What they’re saying

“What's different for me this time is that people are really wanting to know and have their questions answered about my judicial philosophy and my judicial approach.”

— Dan Wilson, Candidate for Montana Supreme Court

“People want nonpartisan, independent courts, and they want a government that functions, which is something we can certainly all get behind.”

— Amy Eddy, Candidate for Montana Supreme Court

What’s next

The Montana Supreme Court election will be held in November 2026, with Wilson and Eddy facing off in the general election.

The takeaway

This race will shape the future direction of Montana's highest court, with implications for key constitutional issues like environmental protections and individual liberties. The candidates' differing judicial philosophies will be a central focus for voters.