Ingrid Gustafson

Ingrid G. Gustafson (born December 11, 1961) She ran unopposed in 2018 for the remainder of Wheat's term. In 2022, Gustafson ran against James Brown, winning an eight year term. She also serves as the vice president of the Montana Judges Association.

History Gustafson was born in Wyoming and moved to Montana in 1972. She attended Montana State University on a skiing scholarship and graduated with honors in 1983. Gustafson obtained her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Montana Law School in 1988, again with honors.

Gustafson worked as a staff attorney for the Social Security Administration for two years, This was Montana's first felony drug court.

In 2017, she became the first justice appointed to the Montana Supreme Court rather than elected. She was chosen by Governor Bullock to replace Mike Wheat who retired effective December 31. That election was for the remaining four years of Wheat's term.

In 2022, Gustafson ran a costly campaign against James Brown, a Helena based attorney. The race ended up as having the most money ever spent in a Montana Supreme Court race. Even though the election is non-partisan, special interest groups spent a significant amount of money on the race. Gustafson won with 54% of the votes. Brown blamed his loss on the "millions of dollars in liberal money" that had flooded the state in the final weeks of the race.

As of 2024, she is Vice President of the Montana Judges Association.