Dirk Sandefur

Gov. Steve Bullock Wednesday issued a directive aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19 in Montana’s Correctional facilities. But it was dismissed as too little, too late by the American Civil Liberties Union of Montana and disability rights advocates.

The Montana Supreme Court weighed in late in the afternoon.

In statewide races, Republicans take every office except for governor. Incumbent Ryan Zinke wins the U.S. House race in a runaway victory. And the analysts predict what to expect from President Trump. Sally Mauk, Chuck Johnson and Rob Saldin dig in to these issues and more in this episode of “Campaign Beat.

Polling shows Ryan Zinke with a big lead in the U.S. House race. New campaign ads are out in both the gubernatorial and House races. Republicans claim the advantage in state superintendent and state auditor race. Polls show 40 percent of Montanans are undecided in the Supreme Court race. And Republicans worry about voter fraud in Montana. Sally Mauk, Chuck Johnson and Rob Saldin dig in to these issues and more in this episode of "Campaign Beat."

There are three seats open on the Montana Supreme Court this election cycle, but only one of them is contested. The candidates for that seat are UM Adjunct Law Professor Kristen Juras and District Court Judge Dirk Sandefur. Juras talks with Montana Public Radio's Corin Cates-Carney in this candidate profile.

There are three seats open on the Montana Supreme Court this election cycle, but only one of them is contested. The candidates for that seat are UM Adjunct Law Professor Kristen Juras and District Court Judge Dirk Sandefur. Sandefur talks with Montana Public Radio's Eric Whitney in this candidate profile.

Montana Supreme Court candidate Dirk Sandefur believes his life experiences provide common sense and  intuitive insights in court, but personal or ideological values of associated groups should not drive legal decisions. Judge Sandefur says, "I have a 14-year career in one of Montana's busiest judicial districts of deciding cases based on the facts and law without any consideration of my personal political views or other philosophical views that I have." Sandefur is one of two candidates running for the Montana Supreme Court, which is tasked with interpreting and upholding the state's constitution.

Kristen Juras makes headlines after her past criticisms of the Kaimin resurface, more campaign ads emerge in the House race, and in the governor’s race the state's rainy day fund has become an issue. Chuck Johnson and Professor Rob Saldin join Sally Mauk to discuss these topics and more on this episode of “Campaign Beat.”