Government class hosts candidate forum
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
RONAN — Local voters will have an opportunity to hear presentations by Montana Supreme Court Justice candidates Laurie McKinnon and Ed Sheehy at a forum hosted by the Ronan High School government class at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 10, at the Ronan Fine Arts Center of the Ronan Middle School, 35885 Round Butte Rd. W.
McKinnon and Sheehy are running for the seat on the Montana Supreme Court being vacated by retiring Judge James Nelson. Supreme Court Justices serve a term of eight years. Their rulings carry the same weight as laws passed by the Montana Legislature and greatly affect the lives of every citizen.
Laurie McKinnon, from Choteau, has served as Ninth Judicial Distict Court Judge for Glacier, Toole, Pondera and Teton Counties since being elected in 2006. She began practicing law in 1987. Her experience prior to becoming a judge includes ten years as a prosecutor in Glacier and Teton County Attorney’s office and the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office in Maryland. She also has over ten years experience as a criminal defense attorney at the trial and appellate levels. She received her law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 1986.
Ed Sheehy, Missoula, is an attorney with the Montana Office of Public Defender, a position he has held since 2006. Previously he served as a regional defender in Missoula. He also worked as an attorney and partner for 28 years at Cannon and Sheehy in Helena. In 1978 he clerked for the then-Montana Chief Justice Frank Haswell. He received a B.A. degree in political science from Carroll College in 1974 and his law degree from Gonzaga Law School in 1977.
Judge Deborah Kim Christopher and attorney Tom Kragh, candidates for judge serving the 20th Judicial District (Lake and Sanders Counties), will also be given the opportunity to make a statement at the forum.
Presentations will be followed by a “meet and greet” where refreshments will be served and voters will be able to talk one-on-one with the candidates for these important offices.
Students in government classes at nearby high schools are cordially encouraged to attend.
