HELENA — The Montana Supreme Court race could soon set a new fundraising record, as new reports show a state political party has contributed to the nonpartisan race for the first time in decades.
District Judge Dirk Sandefur and former University of Montana law professor Kristen Juras are competing for a Supreme Court seat to replace a retiring justice. Lee Newspapers of Montana reports campaign finance reports filed Monday show funding raised by the candidates or from groups spending to influence the race is just under the $1.6 million record set in 2014.
The reports also say the Montana Democratic Party has spent more than $60,000 in advertising to support Sandefur.
Juras condemned the party’s contribution, saying Democrats are politicizing the race.
Sandefur denied that he would be influenced by the party’s support.