Crowded year at the ballot box
It’s no secret that 2012 is an
important election year, but with so much media attention focused
on Republican presidential primary candidates and the 14-or-so
Montana gubernatorial candidates, some key elections here in the
Flathead deserve notice.
Presidential elections usually draw
more voters to the ballot boxes, but two other national races will
attract Montana voters. In the U.S. Senate race, incumbent
Democratic Sen. Jon Tester is being challenged by Republican Rep.
Denny Rehberg in what is turning out to be a hotly contested race
with national repercussions in Washington, D.C.
Rehberg’s move means Montana’s lone
House seat will be up for grabs. So far seven candidates have said
they want the job, including two Republicans and five Democrats.
Diane Smith, a Democratic businesswoman from Whitefish, is a local
contender.
The gubernatorial race is even busier.
With Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer term-limited out, 14
candidates so far have their eyes on the governor’s mansion,
including two Democrats, nine Republicans, one Libertarian, one
independent and one candidate with no declared party
affiliation.
Four of the Republicans are from
Helena, including Neil Livingstone, whose running mate is the
Republican state senator from Whitefish, Ryan Zinke. Also from
Helena and leading in contributions for both parties is Democrat
Steve Bullock, the Montana Attorney General.
Which leaves the state attorney general
seat up for grabs. So far one Republican and two Democrats have
expressed interest in that job. Two Republicans have shown interest
in the Secretary of State office, including Brad Johnson, who held
the office for one term before losing to incumbent Democrat Linda
McCulloch.
One Republican has declared interest in
the State Auditor job — Derek Skees, the Kalispell builder who
currently represents Whitefish’s House District 4. And one
Republican has her eyes set on the state Superintendent of Public
Instruction job — Sandy Welch, a former teacher and principal from
Martin City.
Tom Muri of Whitefish is currently the
lone candidate for House District 4.
On top of all that, there will be more
than half a dozen initiatives and referendums on issues ranging
from taxes, medical marijuana and supreme court elections to
abortion, eminent domain and denying services to illegal
aliens.
In Flathead politics, two Republicans
have announced their interest in Commissioner Dale Lauman’s job —
Gerald Scott and Terry Kramer, both of Kalispell.
But the three openings for district
court judge will probably draw the most candidates. The Flathead
got a taste of this in 2010 when four candidates vied for a newly
created district court position and six more vied for the two
Justice of the Peace positions. The rumor is that district court
judges Stewart Stadler and Katherine Curtis will not run for
re-election and that Ted Lympus will.
With Zinke running for lieutenant
governor, two local House veterans have announced their intention
to run for Zinke’s senate seat, which represents the north valley —
Republicans Dee Brown, of Coram, and Bill Beck, of Whitefish. The
House District 3 incumbent, Republican Jerry O’Neil, says he’s
running again.
Some local legislative races still have
no announced candidates, but a lot will change following the
opening day for registering on Jan. 12. The deadline for filing for
office is March 12.