State Clerk Candidate Comes To Richland County

Candidate Erin Farris-Olsen wants to take politics out of the Clerk of Montana Supreme Court office.

Farris-Olsen, one of two Democrats running for the position currently held by Republican Bowen Greenwood, spent time in Sidney last week to attend the state clerk of district courts convention. She said she is proud of the Democrat party's values of fairness and equality, but she feels the office should leave their politics at the door.

"The clerk should serve all people and not be politicalized," Farris-Olsen said.

She explained the clerk's duties include reviewing all filings to make sure the documents comply with the court's rules before they are reviewed. She said it's important for the clerk to be objective and unbiased.

She is a licensed attorney, has worked as a court clerk and assisted Montanans from all areas of the state in accessing court documents and information.

Farris-Olsen has worked throughout Montana with clerks of court, judges and fellow attorneys. She says she is aware of the challenges our legal community and the public encounter when navigating the judiciary. Her court-help project has assisted individuals facing unrepresentative litigation.

"When people come for my assistance, I don't ask what their politics are," Farris-Olsen said.

Regarding why she decided to run for the position, she says she has become discouraged and frustrated by how politicalized the office is acting. She feels if a court official tips the scale in one person's favor, the action is actually hurting everybody.

She points out that Greenwood has come out with Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen to support pro-life, pro-family legislation.

"He's opening saying that he supports some attorneys in front of others," Farris-Olsen said.