Solicitor general to resign to focus on campaign

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Montana Solicitor General Lawrence VanDyke says he is resigning at the end of May to campaign for a seat on the state Supreme Court.

VanDyke joined Attorney General Tim Fox’s staff in January 2013. He announced earlier this year that he would challenge Justice Mike Wheat in November’s election.

But his candidacy is in doubt after a district judge ruled VanDyke is ineligible to run because of his five-year inactive status with the state bar while he practiced law in Texas.

VanDyke is appealing to the Supreme Court. He tells Lee Newspapers of Montana he is confident the high court will overturn District Judge Mike Menahan’s ruling on his eligibility.