Voter Guide 2024: Flathead County District Court Judge
Eric Hummel and Paul Sullivan are running for Flathead County District Court Judge. The spot is currently held by Judge Robert Allison who did not seek another term.
Ahead of the Nov. 5 election, the Daily Inter Lake sent questionnaires to candidates running for office. Answers were lightly edited for brevity, clarity, Associated Press style and grammar. Candidates were given 150 words to answer questions.
Eric Hummel
Age: 54
Family: wife Tori Stahl Hummel
Occupation: Attorney (28 years), Flathead County Justice of the Peace, Dept. 1 (8 years)
Community Involvement: Daybreak Rotary Club, Northwest Montana Bar Association (past president), Hockaday Art Museum director.
Why are you running?
I have been your justice of the peace for the past eight years. I want to bring that experience to District Court in order to resolve disputes between individuals, families, businesses and government — fairly. As a judge, laws are presumed constitutional. As a judge, I have not declared any laws unconstitutional. I am conservative and believe that judges, as members of the judiciary, must "stay in their lane" and not legislate from the bench. The role of a judge is to apply the law, not to make law. I am committed to timely decisions. I am committed to stare decisis.
What makes you the best candidate for the position?
I am experienced, fair, and make timely decisions based on the law. I do not legislate from the bench. As a 28-year attorney, I have appeared in courts across Montana. I have served as a Flathead County and Kalispell prosecutor, prosecuting crimes ranging from serious felonies to harboring a goat within city limits. I managed my own law practice, working as a defense attorney and representing both civil and criminal clients and small businesses. Before becoming a Flathead Justice of the Peace, I also served as a substitute judge in Kalispell, Whitefish, and Columbia Falls since 2012. I am familiar with communities across Flathead County. As an attorney and justice of the peace, I have litigated many of the cases which come before a district court judge.
Would you make changes regarding district court proceedings? Why or why not? And if so, what changes would you make?
I would make the court available almost daily to resolve undisputed issues. I would require mediation and counseling to streamline divorces and other civil cases. Criminal jury trials for defendants in custody should take priority over many other cases. Contested civil trials with limited disputed facts could be brought to trial sooner, depending on the court's calendar.
Do you support a drug court for Flathead County? Why or why not?
I support a drug court. A drug court serves as an incentive for treatment and recovery. Many crimes involve defendants with drug and alcohol addictions. A drug court is an effective alternative to warehousing non-dangerous offenders. If treatment is not effective, increasing sanctions can be imposed.
Describe your philosophy when it comes to sentencing.
When sentencing individuals, I seek to hold people accountable for their actions. I consider community safety, possible treatment, and rehabilitation. I follow the statutes passed by the Legislature when fashioning a sentence. I consider the recommendations of the state, the defendant's attorney, the defendant, and the victim(s) affected by the crime. I want to ensure Flathead County is safe, and that laws are applied consistently and fairly. I must also consider an individual's ability to pay fines and restitution. Defendants may perform community service and pay their fines over time. For the most serious offenses and repeat offenders, jail is a possibility.
Paul Sullivan
Age: 43
Family: Wife Marybeth Sampsel, a local attorney, and four children: Effie, Josie, Dewey and Pauley.
Occupation: Flathead County Justice of the Peace
Community involvement: Currently board member Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts Foundation. Past: former trustee Bigfork School District; former board president CASA for Kids of Flathead County; former secretary Northwest Montana Bar Association; former board member community foundation for a Better Bigfork; former advisory board member Davidson Honors College at the University of Montana; former member Internal Review Board at Logan Health; former head tennis coach Bigfork High School.
Why are you running?
I was raised in Bigfork, along with generations of my family going back to my great-great-grandfather, Joseph Ganger, who was the first sheriff of Flathead County. Now, I’m raising my four children here and want to do my part to keep the Flathead safe, and make sure everyone’s kids get the same experience I did.
As a Justice of the Peace, I’ve seen firsthand how critical it is to have judges who are fair, decisive, and understand the community they serve. District Court handles the cases with the biggest impact on our lives — whether it’s protecting victims, ensuring justice for families, or addressing complex civil matters. My goal is to bring a strong sense of justice, integrity, and practical experience to the bench, always with an eye toward the well-being of our community and future generations.
What makes you the best candidate for the position?
I have skin in the game, and care deeply about what happens to this Valley. Over the last six years in Justice Court, I’ve proven that I can make the tough decisions this community needs while also, while treating everyone with fairness and respect.
As a judge, I know my role is to apply the law fairly and consistently, not to make it. This community deserves someone who respects the rule of law, the constitutionally mandated roles of the three branches, and understands the boundaries of judicial power. In Justice Court, I’ve shown that I can do exactly that by focusing on the facts and applying the law as it is written. This is how to maintain trust in our legal system, and it’s what I’ll continue to do in District Court.
Would you make changes regarding district court proceedings, why or why not? And if so, what changes would you make?
I don’t bring an agenda and am not looking to overhaul the way District Court operates. I have tremendous respect for Judge Allison and would be honored to follow him. However, I am my own person, and I will bring my own approach to the bench. I plan to continue focusing on fairness, efficiency, and accessibility in the courtroom. If there are areas where improvements can be made, whether in reducing delays or making the process clearer for the people involved, I’m open to changes that benefit everyone. But my priority is always to apply the law faithfully, fairly, and to make decisions that serve justice, not to push any personal agenda.
Do you support a drug court for Flathead County, why or why not?
A drug court is a powerful tool in protecting our community and addressing crime. But it needs to come with the recognition that most crimes involve addiction. Whether it's property crimes, domestic disputes, or violent offenses, drugs are usually involved, and sending an addict to prison doesn’t solve the problem if they return to our community still an addict. It doesn’t excuse the offense, but it needs to inform the punishment.
Describe your philosophy when it comes to sentencing.
First and foremost, my job is to play my constitutionally mandated role. That means following the law and applying the instructions from the legislature about appropriate punishment. In cases where discretion is allowed, my philosophy is to balance accountability with the opportunity for rehabilitation. Every case is unique, and sentencing should reflect the specifics of offense, the harm caused, and the possibility of reform.
I know that a firm and even hand can deter future crime while also punishing current criminals. But I also believe in proportionate consequences that give people the chance to make real change when appropriate. At the end of the day, my goal is to ensure that justice is served — not just for the sake of punishment, but to benefit our community as a whole.
Eric Hummel
Paul Sullivan