Helena, Montana – Montana Governor Greg Gianforte has announced the appointment of Flathead County Attorney Travis Ahner to serve as a judge on the Eleventh Judicial District Court, which includes Flathead County.
Ahner will fill the position being vacated by Judge Amy Eddy, whose upcoming resignation follows her election to the Montana Supreme Court.
The appointment brings an experienced local attorney to the district court after a selection process that included applications, nominations and a public comment period.
Ahner has served as Flathead County Attorney since 2018 and has practiced law since 2008, giving him more than 18 years of legal experience.
Gianforte praised Ahner’s professional background and his years of service to the community while announcing the decision.
“Travis is an accomplished attorney who will bring his experience serving Flathead County to the bench,” Gov. Gianforte said. “As a native Montanan who has served his state and community for over a decade, I trust that he will apply the law in an objective and consistent manner. I look forward to his continued service to Montanans on the Eleventh Judicial District Court.”
Ahner brings years of legal experience to new judicial position
Ahner’s education and legal career have included several years of work in Montana.
He graduated from Carroll College in 2002 before continuing his education at the University of Oregon School of Law, where he graduated in 2007.
He began practicing law in 2008 and later became Flathead County Attorney in 2018.
His years in that position have given him experience working within the county’s legal system, which he will now serve in a different capacity as a district court judge.
The appointment represents a move from his current role as county attorney to a position on the judicial bench.
Appointment follows application and public comment process
The process of filling the judicial vacancy began several months before Gianforte announced his selection.
On August 25, 2026, the chief justice of the Montana Supreme Court informed the governor that a vacancy would be created in the Eleventh Judicial District following Judge Eddy’s election to the state’s highest court.
On September 1, Gianforte opened the application and nomination process, inviting qualified attorneys in good standing to seek consideration for the position.
Candidates were required to meet the legal qualifications for serving as a district court judge.
The application period remained open until September 29.
The following day, September 30, the governor began a 30-day public comment period, allowing members of the public to provide input during the selection process.
That period concluded on October 30.
Following the completion of those steps, Gianforte selected Ahner to fill the upcoming vacancy.
The appointment will place Ahner on the Eleventh Judicial District Court as Judge Eddy leaves her position to serve on the Montana Supreme Court.
With the selection announced, Ahner is preparing to continue his public service in a new role, moving from his years as Flathead County Attorney to the district court bench.
