May 16, 2008

www.waterman4justice.com

Charles Wood, Editor
Montana Lawyer
State Bar of Montana
7 West 6th Avenue, Ste 2B
Helena, Montana 59601

Dear Mr. Wood:

Thank you for your questions regarding my campaign for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Montana.

I believe that most Montanans would agree that the recent primary election had a number of surprises that will be the subject of discussion for years to come. In my own race, with less than 3 months to introduce myself to the public and running against a long-time career politician, I was satisfied that the campaign had an excellent start with fundraising and that my
candidacy was well received throughout the state.

When I announced for chief justice on March 19th, I knew there would be a long campaign ahead. When I announced, I did so in order to give Montanan’s a choice for chief justice, to provide an opportunity to expand the discussion of the role of the judiciary in our State and to highlight the significant differences in qualifications between myself and my opponent. With almost five months left in the race for chief justice, I believe there is ample time to have this important discussion with folks across the state.

I said earlier that there were a couple of surprises in the primary election. The biggest surprise to me was the reluctance of the press to cover the primary race for chief justice. I announced early in my campaign that I would not accept Political Action Committee money. And I specifically asked special interest groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to stay out of the chief justice race because such special interest groups tend to transform non-partisan judicial races into contests virtually identical to partisan political races. I invited my opponent to join in my call to limit political and special interest interference in non-partisan judicial elections.

I was surprised that there was virtually no coverage of these positions or, more importantly, of the vitally important contest of who will head the third branch of government in Montana. I wasn’t particularly surprised that my opponent declined to accept my invitations to limit political and special interest interventions into judicial elections or that he continues to accept Political Action Committee money.

As we move from the primary to the general election, there will be more serious coverage of this important race. I invite the State Bar of Montana to continue to exercise leadership in this important race and to join with other progressive groups, including the League of Women Voters, the Law School and others, to sponsor debates by the candidates for the chief justice position. Montanans deserve a full, frank discussion of the different positions, legal experience and capabilities of the two candidates to provide full time service in the position and evaluate which individual is most capable of effectively administering Montana’s judicial system for the next eight years.

My campaign for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Montana has taken me to numerous locations across the state and allowed me to listen to the concerns of Montanans who want a judicial system that is independent and free of political influence. My 38 years of complex legal experience and decades of non-partisan leadership in numerous state-level public policy issues make me the best candidate for chief justice. When I announced for Chief Justice on March 19th, I was focused on the need of Montanans to have choices in this election and to have a serious, long-term discussion about the nature of our judicial system.

I look forward to a vigorous discussion with the people of Montana about who is the best candidate for chief justice.

Sincerely,

Ron Waterman

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Ron Waterman for Chief Justice | P.O. Box 7540 , Helena, MT 59604

May 16, 2008 www.waterman4justice.com

May 16, 2008

www.waterman4justice.com