Gov. Greg Gianforte has appointed a 10-member advisory council to assist in reviewing candidates to fill the vacancy in Department 2 of the 20th Judicial District, which serves Lake and Sanders Counties.

Five candidates are vying for a two-year appointment to the bench. The seat was left open when the elected candidate for the position, Polson attorney Britt Cotter, resigned before taking office after drug-related charges were filed against him.

Members of the 20th Judicial District advisory council include: CSKT Chief of Police Craige Couture, Polson business owner Becky Dupuis, attorney Casey Emerson, ag producer Susan Lake, CASA director for Lake and Sanders counties Ann Marie McNeel, CSKT attorney Ann Miller, Sanders County Clerk of Court Cynthia Neste, former Sanders County Justice of the Peace Don Strine, former Lake County parole officer Lori Thibodeau, and Lake County Undersheriff Ben Woods.

 “The members of 20th Judicial District Advisory Council will support me in identifying qualified candidates to serve as their new district court judge,” Gov. Gianforte said in a press release. “The advisory council will identify candidates who are committed to the fair, consistent and objective application of the law and who will interpret laws, not make them from the bench.”

Applicants are Polson attorney John Mercer, who was appointed last spring to fill the vacancy after Judge Kim Christopher resigned, CSKT Chief Appellate Judge Kelly McDonald, and attorneys Thane Johnson, Katherine Kuykendall and Lacey Lincoln.

The public had from Jan. 14-Feb. 12 to weigh in on the candidates with letters of support or other comments. Applicants needed at least three letters of support to be considered for appointment by the governor, who is required to fill the post by March 13.