US EditionU.S. Senate confirms Montana GOP lawmaker Bill Mercer to federal judgeship
Bill Mercer, confirmed by a 52-47 Senate vote, replaces Judge Dana Christensen and becomes one of three active U.S. district judges serving Montana.
- On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate confirmed Bill Mercer to the U.S. District Court in Montana by a 52-47 party-line vote with all Republicans supporting and all Democrats opposing.
- President Donald Trump nominated Mercer in July to fill the vacancy created when Dana L. Christensen, U.S. District Court Judge, moved to senior status, and Mercer was term-limited earlier this year.
- A veteran prosecutor, Bill Mercer served eight years as Montana’s U.S. attorney under George W. Bush and later worked at DOJ headquarters under Alberto Gonzales, while serving in the Montana House since 2019.
- Mercer’s confirmation creates a vacancy the county must fill, and Yellowstone County Republican Central Committee plans to meet Nov. 5 to consider nominees for the seat; county commissioners interview three party-submitted candidates and the process usually takes a couple of weeks.
- A second federal judgeship in Montana will soon open as Judge Susan Watters plans to assume senior status in 2026, but President Donald Trump has not yet announced a nominee to replace her.
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13 Articles
ABC FOX Montana
Senate confirms Billings Rep. Mercer as federal judge
The U.S. Senate on Wednesday voted to confirm Montana state Rep. Bill Mercer as a U.S. Judge for the District of Montana. President Donald Trump nominated the Billings Republican to the federal bench in July, and the Senate held a…
Helena Independent Record
U.S. Senate confirms Montana GOP lawmaker Bill Mercer to federal judgeship
Mercer has been a Republican state lawmaker representing Billings since 2019, and was previously Montana's U.S. District Attorney from 2001 to 2009. He will replace Judge Susan P. Watters.
Billings state Rep. Mercer confirmed as federal judge
The U.S. Senate has officially confirmed state Rep. Bill Mercer, R-Billings, as Montanas newest federal judge.On Wednesday, senators approved Mercers nomination 52-47, on a party-line vote with all Republicans in support and all Democrats in opposition.Mercer has served in the state House since 2019. He previously served as Montanas U.S. attorney from 2001 to 2009, under the George W. Bush administration.Montanas two senators, Sen. Steve Daines …
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