Baker wins Supreme Court justice seat

HELENA — Helena attorney Beth Baker defeated Livingston judge Nels Swandal on Tuesday to win an eight-year term on the Montana Supreme Court in a nonpartisan race that took an unexpected political turn.

Baker, who was an assistant attorney general for both Republican and Democratic administrations before entering private practice, campaigned on her nonpartisan background. She touted her endorsements from prominent leaders from both parties and said her experience would help her in building consensus on the court.

But she lamented that politics had entered the race as Swandal ran on his conservative roots, with Baker saying, "if you sort of wink and nod at the nonpartisan requirement, what else are you going to be willing to wink and nod at?"

With 98 percent of precincts reporting, Baker led with 52 percent of the vote.

"I'm deeply honored and humbled by the confidence that the people in Montana have shown in me tonight," Baker said early today. "I'm inspired by the voters' decision to support an independent, nonpartisan judiciary that assures everyone a level playing field."

Baker will replace Justice William Leaphart, 63, who is retiring after 16 years on the Supreme Court. She will join six other justices on the a court likely will be asked to resolve disputes on issues such as medical marijuana, physician-assisted suicide, benefits for gay couples and corporate political spending.

Baker, 48, is managing partner in the Helena law firm Hughes, Kellner, Sullivan & Alke, where she has worked for the last 10 years. Before that, she was an assistant attorney general for nearly 12 years, and was a clerk for U.S. District Judge Charles Lovell.

Baker is originally from Spokane, Wash., and received a law degree from the University of Montana in 1985.

She has cited her pro bono work and membership on the Montana Bar's Access to Justice Committee as examples of her dedication to provide better access to the legal system for people who can't afford lawyers.

Baker said in an interview before the election that another big issue that the Supreme court will have to face as administrator of the state's court system is the increasing demand on the system but little funding available to pay for those judges.

"I think as the workload of the district court grows, the courts throughout and especially the Supreme Court, I think, are going to have to be concerned about how to manage the demand on our judicial system with fewer resources," Baker said.

Swandal, 57, is the judge for Montana's 6th Judicial District, based in Livingston and covering Park and Sweet Grass counties. He was the Park County attorney for nearly 11 years before that. He also was the county's public defender and a private attorney.

Swandal made statements in support of gun rights and produced a campaign ad in which he speaks of his past support of Republicans.

Swandal has said people should know where he comes from and what he stands for, but that his conservatism would not affect his performance on the bench.

He did not return a call early Wednesday.

HELENA — Helena attorney Beth Baker defeated Livingston judge Nels Swandal on Tuesday to win an eight-year term on the Montana Supreme Court in a nonpartisan race that took an unexpected political turn.

Baker, who was an assistant attorney general for both Republican and Democratic administrations before entering private practice, campaigned on her nonpartisan background. She touted her endorsements from prominent leaders from both parties and said her experience would help her in building consensus on the court.

But she lamented that politics had entered the race as Swandal ran on his conservative roots, with Baker saying, "if you sort of wink and nod at the nonpartisan requirement, what else are you going to be willing to wink and nod at?"

With 98 percent of precincts reporting, Baker led with 52 percent of the vote.

"I'm deeply honored and humbled by the confidence that the people in Montana have shown in me tonight," Baker said early today. "I'm inspired by the voters' decision to support an independent, nonpartisan judiciary that assures everyone a level playing field."

Baker will replace Justice William Leaphart, 63, who is retiring after 16 years on the Supreme Court. She will join six other justices on the a court likely will be asked to resolve disputes on issues such as medical marijuana, physician-assisted suicide, benefits for gay couples and corporate political spending.

Baker, 48, is managing partner in the Helena law firm Hughes, Kellner, Sullivan & Alke, where she has worked for the last 10 years. Before that, she was an assistant attorney general for nearly 12 years, and was a clerk for U.S. District Judge Charles Lovell.

Baker is originally from Spokane, Wash., and received a law degree from the University of Montana in 1985.

She has cited her pro bono work and membership on the Montana Bar's Access to Justice Committee as examples of her dedication to provide better access to the legal system for people who can't afford lawyers.

Baker said in an interview before the election that another big issue that the Supreme court will have to face as administrator of the state's court system is the increasing demand on the system but little funding available to pay for those judges.

"I think as the workload of the district court grows, the courts throughout and especially the Supreme Court, I think, are going to have to be concerned about how to manage the demand on our judicial system with fewer resources," Baker said.

Swandal, 57, is the judge for Montana's 6th Judicial District, based in Livingston and covering Park and Sweet Grass counties. He was the Park County attorney for nearly 11 years before that. He also was the county's public defender and a private attorney.

Swandal made statements in support of gun rights and produced a campaign ad in which he speaks of his past support of Republicans.

Swandal has said people should know where he comes from and what he stands for, but that his conservatism would not affect his performance on the bench.

He did not return a call early Wednesday.