Cory Swanson | |
---|---|
Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court | |
Assumed office January 6, 2025 | |
Preceded by | Mike McGrath |
Personal details | |
Born | 1976or1977(age 47–48) |
Political party | Republican [1] |
Education | Carroll College (BA) University of Montana (JD) |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch/service | |
Years of service | 1997–present |
Rank | Colonel |
Unit | 1-163rd Mechanized Infantry / Combined Arms Battalion |
Battles/wars | Operation Spartan Shield |
Awards | Bronze Star Meritorious Service Medal Army Commendation Medal |
Cory Swanson (born 1976 or 1977) [2] is an American lawyer who has served as the chief justice of the Montana Supreme Court since January 2025. He was previously the Broadwater County attorney from 2014 to 2025.
Swanson received a Bachelor of Arts from Carroll College in 2000 and a Juris Doctor from the Alexander Blewett III School of Law of the University of Montana in 2004. [3]
Swanson joined the Montana Army National Guard in June 1997 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in August 1998. He had multiple deployments to the Middle East and will retire with the rank of colonel. [4]
From 2013 to 2014, he served as deputy attorney general under then-Montana Attorney General Tim Fox. [5] He was elected as Broadwater County attorney in 2014 and subsequently re-elected in 2018 and 2022. [6]
In December 2023, Swanson announced his candidacy to run for position of chief justice of the Montana Supreme Court. [5] His candidacy was supported by local sheriffs [7] and the Montana Chamber of Commerce. [8] Swanson won the general election held on November 5, 2024, defeating challenger Jeremiah Lynch. [9] He was sworn into office on January 6, 2025. [10]
Swanson has been married Julie since July 2007. He and Julie reside in Townsend with their son and daughter. [4]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nonpartisan | Cory Swanson | 296,545 | 54% | |
Nonpartisan | Jeremiah Lynch | 254,595 | 46% | |
Total votes | 551,140 | 100.00 |