The state’s chief law enforcement and legal officer, who oversees the state Department of Justice, issues legal opinions interpreting state law, and advocates for the public interest in certain legal proceedings. One of five seats on the state land board, and elected to a four-year term. Incumbent Tim Fox is facing term limits and made an unsuccessful run for governor.
Attorney General
Candidates
Key coverage in the race for Attorney General
Race profile: Drugs, health care and budgets
Attorney General candidates Raph Graybill and Austin Knudsen are divided on their approach to the Affordable Care Act, anti-meth efforts and ongoing litigation against the tobacco industry.
Montana Lowdown: Austin Knudsen
Roosevelt County Attorney Austin Knudsen interviewed by MTFP Editor-In-Chief John Adams before the June 2020 primary
Montana Lowdown: Raph Graybill
Attorney Raph Graybill interviewed by MTFP Editor-In-Chief John Adams before the June 2020 primary
MTN News debate: Attorney General
Video of Graybill and Knudsen at their MTN News debate broadcast Sept. 18
Campaign finance
As reported in quarterly filings. Data current through 10/31/2020.
$1,141,740
Total raised in race
$895,979
Total spent
| Candidate | Total raised | Itemized individual contributions | Committee contributions | Self-financing | Unitemized contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raph Graybill (D) | $725,288 | $650,110 | $25,030 | $0 | $50,148 |
| Austin Knudsen (R) | $416,452 | $373,121 | $27,790 | $6,910 | $8,631 |
Note: Self-financing includes candidate contributions and campaign loans. Prior to Jan. 17, 2019, these figures underreported fundraising for state candidates by omitting unitemized contributions. Unitemized contribution totals, which include small-dollar donations, are calculated here by subtracting itemized cash contributions from reported fundraising totals.
Source: Campaign finance reports filed with the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices. See the COPP-administered Campaign Electronic Reporting System for official records.
Primary results
Vote totals from Montana's June 2, 2020 primary election.
GOP Attorney General primary
| Candidate | Votes counted | % of vote | Votes behind |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUSTIN KNUDSEN | 116,471 | 59.8% | 0 |
| JON BENNION | 78,415 | 40.2% | 38,056 |
Dem. Attorney General primary
| Candidate | Votes counted | % of vote | Votes behind |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAPH GRAYBILL | 80,037 | 57.1% | 0 |
| KIMBERLY P. DUDIK | 60,140 | 42.9% | 19,897 |
Media coverage
Stories tracked in our database of 2020 election coverage.
KRTV
Graybill and Knudsen battle to be Montana’s next Attorney General
10/30/2020
Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Montana governor, AG candidates speak at tavern association forum
09/22/2020
Great Falls Tribune
Attorney general candidates battle it out in debate
09/20/2020
Lee Newspapers
AG candidates have sharply different ideas of what the job should be
09/12/2020
Montana Public Radio
Montana Candidates Split Over Mask Mandate
08/19/2020
Great Falls Tribune
Graybill dismisses Republican claims of ineligibility in AG race
08/10/2020
Montana Public Radio
Jon Bennion 2020 Election Questionnaire
05/21/2020
Montana Public Radio
Austin Knudsen 2020 Election Questionnaire
05/21/2020
Montana Public Radio
Kimberly Dudik 2020 Election Questionnaire
05/21/2020
Montana Public Radio
Raph Graybill 2020 Election Questionnaire
05/21/2020
Associated Press
Montana sees most female statewide candidates in decades
05/13/2020
Billings Gazette
AG candidates on priorities, Fox’s coal fight and why they’re the best name on the ballot
05/12/2020
MTN News
Independent PACs spending on low-profile MT statewide races
04/28/2020
Sidney Herald
Jon Bennion files for AG, focuses on gov’t ‘overreach’
03/08/2020
Helena Independent Record
COPP: Graybill qualified to appear on ballot
02/28/2020
Char-Koosta News
Kimberly Dudik vying to become Montana’s next Attorney General
02/26/2020
Associated Press
Former lawmaker challenges qualifications of Montana attorney general candidate
02/05/2020
Havre Herald
Raph Graybill Brings Fight For AG To Havre
02/04/2020
Havre Herald
Austin Knudsen Brings AG Campaign To Havre
01/31/2020
Associated Press
As more women run for office, child care remains a hurdle
01/01/2020
Montana Public Radio
Austin Knudsen Enters The Race For Montana Attorney General
05/20/2019
Lee Newspapers
Bennion announces bid for Montana attorney general in 2020
05/20/2019
Great Falls Tribune
Great Falls native Graybill announces run for attorney general
05/06/2019
Montana Public Radio
Rep Kimberly Dudik Announces Bid For Attorney General’s Office
12/17/2018
Havre Daily News
Dem statewide office candidates speak in Havre
Havre Daily News
Dudik campaigns in Havre for attorney general
Ekalaka Eagle
Bennion visits Ekalaka
Havre Daily News
Bennion, Knudsen square off in attorney general Republican primary: Austin Knudsen
Havre Daily News
Democrats Dudik, Graybill square off in attorney general primary: Raph Graybill
Stay tuned for more
We'll be updating this page with new information through Election Day in November 2020.
Have ideas about additional coverage that would be helpful as you consider your vote? Tell us at edietrich@montanafreepress.org.