McGrath Files for Chief Justice

Press Release

Attorney General Mike McGrath today officially filed for the office of Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court.

"I am honored to have been able to serve Montana as Attorney General and look forward to taking this next step," McGrath said. First elected Attorney General in 2000, McGrath was re-elected in 2004 and is prevented from running for a third term by term limits.

"I want to be Montana's next Chief Justice because I believe I am qualified to do the job with distinction," McGrath continued. "My career as a legal services attorney, as a prosecutor and as Montana's Attorney General has given me a breadth of experience in the judicial system that will prove to be a real asset on the Supreme Court. My extensive administrative experience managing large organizations, demanding workloads and working with my fellow statewide elected officials on the Land Board and Board of Examiners provide me with the necessary skills to address the administrative duties required of the Chief Justice," McGrath said.

During his tenure as Attorney General, McGrath was a strong advocate of drug prevention programs including the Montana Meth Project, successfully concluded negotiations to effectuate the removal of the Milltown Dam, protected consumers against overpricing in the pharmaceutical industry and just recently announced completion of a landmark study on the cost and public benefit of Montana's hospitals.

McGrath announced his intention to run for the open seat following the announcement in April of 2007, that the current Chief Justice would not seek re-election. Reports filed with the Commissioner of Political Practices show that as of December 31, 2007, McGrath had raised $108,198 for his campaign.

Prior to becoming Attorney General, McGrath was a prosecutor, serving as Lewis and Clark County Attorney from 1982 - 2000. A Butte native, McGrath received his business administration degree from the University of Montana and his law degree from Gonzaga University in Spokane. He is an Air Force veteran and lives in Helena with his wife Joy. The McGraths have two sons, Pat and Chris, and a granddaughter, Alexis.

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