Montana Supreme Court Race Prompts Major Fundraising

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Groups trying to influence the outcome of a Montana Supreme Court race are on track to set a record for the most fundraising collected for a justice seat.

Lee Newspapers of Montana reports that this year's race between Dirk Sandefur and Kristen Juras, fundraising by political action committees has reached a reported total of $518,262 and the candidates themselves have collected another $633,868.

Based on inflation-adjusted totals dating back to 1990, the combined committee and campaign fundraising for Sandefur is about $900,000, setting a record for the most money collected to support a Montana Supreme Court candidate.

Juras and her supporters have raised roughly $250,000.

The group Montana Trial Lawyers Association is expected to support Sandefur as well as his current supporters.