A Missoula Democratic state senator is leaving her seat and stepping into the role of deputy director of state corrections.
The Montana Department of Corrections announced Tuesday that Senator Cynthia Wolken was selected to help lead the department along with Director Reginald Michael.
During her two terms in the Montana Senate, Wolken chaired the Commission on Sentencing, which led to bipartisan support for passing reforms to the state’s criminal justice system in the 2017 legislative session.
Wolken earned a law degree from the Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, Missouri.
Wolken’s first day on the job is January 3. The Missoulian reports she will resign from the Senate in February.
The Missoula Board of County Commissioners will select a replacement for the vacant seat from candidates provided by the Missoula County Democratic Central Committee. That appointee must run for re-election this year.
