Update:
To our supporters and allies, thank you for standing shoulder‑to‑shoulder as we challenge entrenched “good ol’ boy” networks and demand a justice system worthy of Montanans. Our petition has already attracted 73 signatures. That’s not just a number—it’s a growing coalition of families, community leaders, business owners and advocates who are fed up with backroom deals and personal vendettas eroding the rule of law.

Recent headlines underscore why your voices matter. In October 2024, the Commission on Practice recommended a 90‑day suspension of Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s law license, finding that he undermined public trust by refusing to comply with a Supreme Court order and disparaging justices—violations aimed squarely at the rules intended to preserve fairness and impartiality in our courtsmontanafreepress.orgmontanafreepress.org. When even the state’s top legal officer faces accountability for flouting the judiciary, it’s clear that no official should be above scrutiny. Meanwhile, a July 2025 guest column by Flathead County Judge Amy Eddy reminds us that Montana’s nonpartisan judicial tradition was forged after the Copper Kings era, when corporate interests controlled courtrooms; she warns that renewed efforts to politicize judicial elections threaten to turn our courts into campaign rallies, eroding public confidenceflatheadbeacon.comflatheadbeacon.com. These events highlight both the risks of unchecked power and the importance of keeping courts independent and fair.

With 73 signers, we’re gaining traction, but our work isn’t done. Each signature is a signal to legislators and oversight committees that Montanans demand transparency, independent investigations, and enforceable standards. In the months ahead, we’ll continue to engage with the Law & Justice Interim Committee, the Judicial Standards Commission and local representatives—because systemic reform requires persistent pressure. As you share this petition, don’t hesitate to include your own stories of court‑house favoritism, law‑enforcement overreach or administrative neglect. Encourage your friends, family and colleagues to add their names; the more diverse voices we rally, the harder it will be for insiders to ignore us.

Thank you for your commitment to restoring integrity and trust in Montana’s justice system. Together we’re proving that our voices will be heard, and that “good ol’ boy” politics have no place in our state’s future.