Partial results indicate voter retention of South Dakota Supreme Court justice

South Dakota Supreme Court Justice Scott Myren listens to oral arguments on Feb. 14, 2024, in Pierre. (David Bordewyk/South Dakota NewsMedia Association)

South Dakota Supreme Court Justice Scott Myren appeared to be in position to retain his job, according to unofficial election results early Wednesday morning.

With 70% of the state's precincts fully reported as of 1:45 a.m., Myren had 80% support.

The high court's justices face a nonpolitical retention election three years after their appointment by the governor, and then every eight years after that. Republican Gov. Kristi Noem appointed Myren in 2021.

Myren grew up on his family farm in rural Campbell County and graduated from Mobridge High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of South Dakota and a law degree from Rutgers University.

He practiced law in Denver before returning to South Dakota to work as a staff attorney for the South Dakota Supreme Court. He served as an administrative law judge for the Office of Administrative Hearings and as a magistrate judge for the Sixth Judicial Circuit.

In 2003, he was appointed as a circuit judge for the 5th Judicial Circuit by Gov. Mike Rounds. He was reelected to that position by the voters in 2006 and 2014.