Governor Greg Gianforte announced Tuesday that he was reappointing prominent Polson attorney John Mercer to serve on the 20th Judicial District Court, which includes Lake and Sanders counties.

Mercer was sworn in Wednesday by Judge Molly Owen and planned to preside over Law and Motion on Thursday.

“John served the people of the Twentieth Judicial District well when I appointed him to serve his community last year, and I’m glad he was willing to do so once again,” Gov. Gianforte said. “With his extensive legal background and distinguished record, John will continue to serve as a great judge.”

Mercer was initially appointed to the bench last spring, following the resignation of Judge Kim Christopher, and served through the end of her term on Jan. 5. When judge-elect Britt Cotter resigned Dec. 22, prior to being charged in District Court with attempts to purchase and distribute drugs, the Department 2 seat was open again.

Five attorneys filed for the two-year term, including Mercer, and the governor appointed a 10-member advisory council of attorneys and community leaders in Lake and Sanders counties to review their applications and consider public comments.

In a press release, the governor expressed his appreciation to the council “for serving their community and giving their time to review and recommend highly qualified nominees to serve as the district court judge.”

Mercer graduated from the University of Montana in 1979 and the Northwestern University School of Law in 1982. He’s been an attorney for 42 years with the law office of Turnage Mercer & Wall in Polson, and was president of Heritage Management Co., also in Polson.

He also served in the Montana House of Representatives from 1984 to 2000, including four terms as House Speaker, and was chair of the Montana University System Board of Regents.

On the eve of resuming his judicial duties, he called the appointment “an honor,” and added, “I greatly appreciate the support I received from our community.”

In a previous interview, Mercer said that if appointed, he also plans to run for the office’s remaining four-year term in 2026.