Anti-abortion group backs Montana Supreme Court candidates
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America says Cory Swanson and Dan Wilson are part of the ‘pro-life team for Montana.’

The anti-abortion organization Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America is distributing printed campaign ads in support of Cory Swanson and Dan Wilson, candidates running for seats on the Montana Supreme Court.
Swanson, the Broadwater County attorney, and Wilson, a judge on the Flathead County District Court, have refused to publicly reveal their positions on abortion.
According to photos provided to the Montana Independent, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America is distributing advertisements door-to-door urging Montanans to vote against Constitutional Initiative 128, a state constitutional amendment “to prohibit the government from denying or burdening the right to abortion before fetal viability.” The door hangers also urge votes for what they call “your pro-life team for Montana”: Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte, Republican Attorney General Austin Knudsen, Supreme Court chief justice candidate Swanson, and Supreme Court justice candidate Wilson.
With both Chief Justice Mike McGrath and Justice Dirk Sandefur retiring at the end of their current terms, Montanans will elect two new justices to the state’s high court in this November’s general election. Swanson is facing former federal Magistrate Judge Jerry Lynch in the race for the chief justice position; Wilson is running against Montana 7th District Court Judge Katherine Bidegaray for the associate justice position.
The election could have a significant impact on the future of reproductive rights in Montana, where the court has repeatedly struck down abortion restrictions, citing the Montana Constitution’s guarantee of a right of privacy.
While Lynch and Bidegaray have stated their commitment to privacy rights, abortion rights, and the right to contraception, Swanson and Wilson have refused to do so. Though Lynch has said he will not prejudge any cases, Swanson said in a March social media post: ”Judicial candidates have an ethical obligation not to prejudge cases before hearing the facts. My opponent @Lynch4CJMTSUPCO has failed that obligation by announcing how he plans to rule on abortion cases.”
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America says on its website that it has targeted its advertising to 150,000 homes in the Billings, Bozeman, Helena, and Missoula regions. The organization did not immediately respond to a request for comment for this story.
The group typically requires candidates to meet specific endorsement criteria. It is unclear whether Swanson or Wilson sought the organization’s backing or told the group he opposes abortion. Neither candidate immediately responded to a Montana Independent request for comment.
Both Swanson and Wilson have accepted campaign contributions from prominent Montana anti-abortion activists.