William W. Mercer

Bill Mercer
Member of the Montana House of Representatives
from the 46th district
In office
January 7, 2019 – January 6, 2025
Preceded byDon Jones
Succeeded byDenise Joy (redistricting)
Acting United States Associate Attorney General
In office
March 17, 2006 – June 22, 2007
PresidentGeorge W. Bush
Preceded byRobert McCallum Jr.
Succeeded byGregory G. Katsas (acting)
United States Attorney for the District of Montana
In office
April 20, 2001 – December 30, 2009
PresidentGeorge W. Bush
Preceded bySherry Scheel Matteucci
Succeeded byMichael W. Cotter
Personal details
Born1964 (age 60–61)
Billings, Montana, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseMarci Mercer
Children2
EducationUniversity of Montana (BA)
Harvard University (MPA)
George Mason University (JD)

William Walter "Bill" Mercer (born 1964) is an American attorney and politician. He is a nominee to serve as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Montana. He served as a member of the Montana House of Representatives from the 46th district.[1] He previously served as the United States attorney for the District of Montana, as well as principal associate deputy attorney general for the United States Department of Justice.[2] Mercer was nominated by President George W. Bush as Associate Attorney General and served in the position in an acting capacity. He resigned before his confirmation hearing could take place.[3]

Early life and education

Mercer was born in Billings, Montana. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Montana, a Master of Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and a Juris Doctor from George Mason University Law School (now Antonin Scalia Law School).[1][4][5]

Career

From 1994 to April 2001, Mercer served as an assistant United States attorney for the District of Montana. On April 20, 2001, he was nominated by President George W. Bush to serve as the United States attorney for the District of Montana.[6][7]

While remaining as the U.S. attorney, Mercer served as principal associate deputy attorney general in the United States Department of Justice from 2005 to 2006.[1] He later served as the acting United States Associate Attorney General starting in 2006, though resigned on June 22, 2007, in light of the dismissal of U.S. attorneys by the Bush administration. While some have alleged that Mercer was involved in the dismissal, there is no evidence that he was involved.[3]

During his tenure as U.S. attorney, he helped create Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative which actively combats technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation and child pornography.[8] The project continues to coordinate with local, state, tribal, and non-governmental agencies and organizations to protect the safety and well-being of American children.[9]

In the Montana House of Representatives, Mercer chairs the House Judicial Committee, Law Enforcement and Justice Committee, and serves as a member on the House Appropriations Committee.[10]

Nomination to district court

On July 10, 2025, President Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Mercer to serve as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Montana, to a seat being vacated by Judge Dana L. Christensen.[11] The nomination was transmitted to the United States Senate on July 15, 2025. His nomination is pending before the Senate Judiciary Committee.[12]

Electoral history

Mercer first announced his candidacy to the Montana House of Representatives in 2018. He won the 2018 General Election with 59.2% of the vote.[13] In 2020, he successfully won his reelection bid, receiving 67.7% of the vote in the general election.[14] He was elected a third term in 2022.[15]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Copper Book: Lawmakers of Montana, Legislative Session of 2021". Montana State Legislature. Montana Legislative Services Division. p. 51. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  2. ^ "Deputy Attorney General James B. Comey announces Appointment of Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General" (Press release). United States Department of Justice. 2005-05-09. Retrieved 2008-11-16.
  3. ^ a b Schmitt, Richard (20 July 2008). "One man's charmed life at Justice". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  4. ^ justfacts.votesmart.org Retrieved September 2, 2020
  5. ^ Mercer, William Walter (July 30, 2025). "Mercer's Senate Judiciary Committee Questionnaire" (PDF). judiciary.senate.gov. United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  6. ^ "Bill Mercer HD 46, Republican". Billings Gazette. Billings Gazette. 23 April 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  7. ^ "William Mercer". The Federalist Society. The Federalist Society. 21 December 2007. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  8. ^ Bryon, Eve (10 January 2010). "Mercer made big impact as chief US Attorney". Independent Record. Independent Record. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  9. ^ "About Project Safe Childhood". U.S. Department of Justice. 17 June 2014. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  10. ^ "House of Representatives Committeess 2021" (PDF). Montana Legislature. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  11. ^ "Trump says he's appointing Bill Mercer of Billings as federal court judge". Q2 News (KTVQ). July 11, 2025.
  12. ^ "PN400-2 - Nomination of William W. Mercer for The Judiciary, 119th Congress (2025-2026)". www.congress.gov. July 15, 2025.
  13. ^ "2018 Legislative General Election Canvass" (PDF). Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  14. ^ "2020 Legislative General Election Canvass" (PDF). Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  15. ^ "Legislator Details". Montana State Legislature. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
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