Candidates file for state, local offices
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With the filing deadline in the rearview mirror for county, state and federal elections, it’s clear the most action in the primary on June 7 will occur in newly minted U.S. House District 1, which covers 15 counties in western Montana, including Lake. Five Republicans, three Democrats and one Libertarian are vying for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
Best known is former Interior Secretary, Congressman and State Senator Ryan Zinke of Whitefish; his Republican primary opponents are former state representative Al Olszewski, Helena; Mitch Heuer, Whitefish; Matt Jette, Missoula; and Mary Todd, Kalispell. Vying for the Democratic nod are Tom Winter, Polson; Cora Neumann, Bozeman; and Monica Tranel, Missoula. John Lamb of Bozeman is the sole Libertarian on the ballot.
On the state level, Republican Sen. Bob Keenan of Bigfork filed for House District 10 and will face Democrat Mark Phillips of Kalispell in the general election. Keenan’s counterpart in the House, Republican Rep. Mark Noland, filed for Senate District 5 and will run against Rob Tracy, also of Bigfork, in the primary.
Republican incumbent Joe Read of Ronan (HD 93) has two opponents in the general election: Democrat Shirley Azzopardi of Ronan and Libertarian Devin Braaten of Polson. Republican Linda Reksten faces Democratic challenger Sterling James Laudon in HD 12; both live in Polson.
Democratic Sen. Susan Webber of Browning seeks to hold her seat in sprawling SD 8, which includes portions of the Blackfeet and Flathead reservations, against Republican Rick Jennison of Ronan. In HD 15, which also spans the reservations, incumbent Democrat Marvin Weatherwax Jr. of Browning faces primary opposition from Adrien Owen Wagner of Heart Butte and Thedis Crowe of Browning. On the Republican slate, Betsy Johnson of Ronan squares off against Ralph Foster, St. Ignatius.
Also relevant to Lake County voters is the open seat on District 5 of the Public Service Commission, currently represented by Republican Brad Johnson. The five-member board, which is charged with regulating utilities in Montana, was the subject of a recent lawsuit contending that population differences between the state’s five districts violated the one-person, one-vote provision of the U.S. Constitution. The suit was resolved March 8 when a three-member federal judicial panel approved a new map submitted by Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen.
District 5 now encompasses Lake, Flathead, Teton and Lewis and Clark counties. Facing off in the primary are Republicans Derek Skees and Ann Bukacek of Kalispell, Joe Dooling of Helena, and Dean Crabb of Marion; and Democrats Kevin Hamm, East Helena, and John Repke, Whitefish.
In countywide elections, all the action on the June ballot occurs on the Republican side, with Sheriff Don Bell facing opposition from Ronan police officer Corey White, and county commissioner Steve Stanley taking on Max Krantz and Roy Anderson in District 2, which encompasses the southernmost part of the county.
Deputy county attorney James Lapotka is unchallenged in his quest to replace his boss, county attorney Steve Eschenbacher. The remaining Republican office holders – Katie Harding (clerk and recorder), Robin Vert-Rubel (county assessor/treasurer), and Carolyn Hall (superintendent of schools) – also have no opponents.
Three candidates will be winnowed to two in the non-partisan race for justice of the peace, with Michael Larson, Rick Schoening and Tony Isbell all vying for the post currently occupied by Randall Owens. Incumbents Susan Gardner, Sigurd Jensen and Allen Branine all filed to retain their seats with the Lake County Conservation District.
School board candidates must file with their district offices by March 24. Those elections take place May 3, alongside Special Purpose Districts, including rural fire, water, sewer and irrigation districts. The primary election for county, state and federal offices is June 7.
To register to vote or to check or update your voter registration, visit sosmt.gov/elections/vote. The local county elections office is also seeking election judges; learn more at www.lakemt.gov/election/election.html or call 406-883-7268.
