Elizabeth Best
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Elizabeth Best is a judge of the 8th Judicial District Court in Montana. She was appointed by Democratic Governor Steve Bullock on March 1, 2016, to replace Judge Julie Macek.[1] She ran for election to her seat in 2016. As an incumbent running unopposed, Best faced a retention election on November 8, 2016. She won retention in the election.[2]
Biography
Best received a B.A. in political science from Montana State University and a J.D. from the University of Montana School of Law in 1981. After receiving her law degree, Best served in the Judge Advocate General's Corps in the United States Army from 1981 to 1984. Her professional experience includes working in private practice and serving as a law clerk to Paul Hatfield of the United States District Court for the District of Montana.[3]
Awards and associations
- Appointed as Chair, Montana State Fund
- 2008: Trial Lawyer of the Year, Montana Trial Lawyers Association
- 2004-2008: Appointed as Chair, Montana Board of Labor Appeals
- Member, American Association for Justice
- Member, American Board of Trial Advocates[3]
Campaign themes
2016
Best participated in Ballotpedia's 2016 survey of local judicial candidates. The following sections display her responses to the survey questions. When asked what non-judicial legal experience qualifies her to be a judge, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | I was appointed by the Montana Supreme Court to its Evidence and Civil Procedure Commissions, and by the U.S. District Court, District of Montana, to its Local Rules Committee. I am recognized by my peers for my skill as a lawyer, and have the endorsement of judges, and lawyers of diverse legal backgrounds for my skills and competence.[4][5] | ” |
When asked why she was running for this particular court seat, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | My courtroom experience for the past three decades gives me skills and perspectives that will assist in providing swift, efficient justice. I have a history and strong belief in public service, which also includes service on a local school board and other volunteer service. This is a natural extension of that public service commitment.[4][5] | ” |
When asked to identify one judge, past or present, who she admires, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | Justice Pat Cotter, Montana Supreme Court, is one among many.[4][5] | ” |
When asked about her primary concern regarding today's judicial system in her state, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | I am concerned that poverty is a roadblock to access to our courts.[4][5] | ” |
Elections
2016
Montana held general elections for local judicial offices on November 8, 2016. A primary election took place on June 7, 2016. The filing deadline for candidates who wished to run in this election was March 14, 2016.[6] Elizabeth Best was retained in the Montana District 8 (Department 2) election with 82.38 percent of the vote. [2]
| Montana District 8 (Department 2), 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | Yes votes | |
 Elizabeth Best | 82.38% | |
| Source: Montana Secretary of State, "2016 General Election Results," accessed November 10, 2016 | ||
2012
- See also: Montana judicial elections, 2012
Best ran unsuccessfully for the seat on the Montana Supreme Court previously held by James Nelson (Montana). She lost to Laurie McKinnon and Ed Sheehy in the primary election on June 5, 2012.[7][8]
Campaign advertisements
In 2012 Elizabeth Best spent $22,110 on primary TV ads.[9]
Approach to the law
| “ | All legal issues start with the words of the Constitution. Every party gets a fair shake.[5] | ” |
| —Elizabeth Best via a 2012 candidate information form submitted to Ballotpedia[3] | ||
See also
External links
- Official campaign website
- Billings Gazette: Letters to the Editor, "Elect Elizabeth Best to Montana Supreme Court," April 29, 2012
- Billings Gazette, "Great Falls lawyer who represented Billings cops running for Supreme Court," November 10, 2011
Footnotes
- ↑ State Bar of Montana, "Best appointed 8th Judicial District judge," March 1, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Montana Secretary of State, "2016 Candidate Filing List: Non-Legislative," accessed March 21, 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Per information submitted to Judgepedia on a Candidate Information form
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Ballotpedia's local judicial candidate survey, 2016, "Elizabeth Best's Responses," March 25, 2016
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2016 Election Calendar," accessed December 7, 2015
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "Non-legislative primary candidates"
- ↑ Billings Gazette, "Great Falls lawyer who represented Billings cops running for Supreme Court," November 10, 2011
- ↑ Justice at Stake, "Campaign Money Patterns Entering New Phase in 2012 Judicial Races," September 13, 2012
Federal courts:
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Montana • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Montana
State courts:
Montana Supreme Court • Montana District Courts • Montana Courts of Limited Jurisdiction • Montana Water Court • Montana Workers' Compensation Court
State resources:
Courts in Montana • Montana judicial elections • Judicial selection in Montana
