Flathead County Attorney likely to ascend to district court bench

Flathead County Attorney Travis Ahner is likely to become the next Flathead County District Court judge, after he was the only candidate who submitted an application for the soon-to-be-vacant seat on the bench.

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte put out the call for applications at the start of September.

The vacancy on the bench will occur following November’s election, where current district court judges — Judge Amy Eddy and Judge Dan Wilson — are facing off in a race for an open Montana Supreme Court seat to replace retiring Justice Beth Baker.

Ahner is a Republican and has twice been elected as the top prosecutor in Flathead County. He is running for re-election again on the November ballot, unopposed.

If Gianforte appoints Ahner to the judgeship, the Flathead County Commissioners will be tasked with appointing a replacement for the county attorney position.