Britt Cotter News Today

Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike McGrath was at the Lake County Courthouse Monday to administer the oath of office to Polson attorney John Mercer as he donned a black robe and the responsibilities of a District Court judge.

Former Montana lawmaker John Mercer is in line to serve as district court judge in Lake and Sanders counties.

Longtime Polson attorney and former state legislator and Speaker of the House John Mercer has applied to fill the remaining office term of former District Court Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher, who resigned from the bench effective April 5.

John A. Mercer, Polson attorney, is the only person to submit an application for an opening in the Twentieth Judicial District, according to the governor’s office.

John A. Mercer, Polson attorney, is the only person to submit an application for an opening in the Twentieth Judicial District, according to the governor’s office.

Lake and Sanders County Judge Kim Christopher is resigning effective April 6.

PLUS: State Supreme Court strikes 2021 voting laws.

In the wake of Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher’s announcement last week that she’s resigning from the bench effective April 5, Governor Greg Gianforte announced this week that his office is now accepting applications and nominations to fill her vacancy in the Twentieth Judicial District. The chief justice of the Montana Supreme Court, Mike McGrath, notified the governor of the impending vacancy March 21, and nominations are due by April 8.

Judge Deborah Kim Christopher, who has served as a county district judge for nearly 25 years, announced her resignation from the bench in a letter dated March 15.

In the letter, Judge Deborah Kim Christopher said it had been a privilege to serve Lake and Sanders counties for nearly 24 years, and she will resign effective April 5, 2024.