A dearth of candidates so far this year
With the March 10 filing date quickly approaching, there’s a noticeable lack of candidates for elected positions in Flathead County.
As of March 2, the lone candidate for the District 1 county commissioner seat, representing the north valley, was Republican Phil Mitchell, a former Whitefish city councilor and current Whitefish School Board member.
Cal Scott, who was appointed to represent District 1 after commissioner Jim Dupont died in March 2012, was elected in November 2012 to fill out the remaining two years of Dupont’s term. Scott has not filed for re-election.
In three other partisan county races, the Republican incumbents are running unopposed — Treasurer Adele Krantz, County Attorney Ed Corrigan and Sheriff Chuck Curry.
Flathead County Justices of the Peace Dan Wilson and Mark Sullivan are seeking re-election for Departments 1 and 2 and running unopposed for the non-partisan positions.
No candidates have filed for the Flathead County Superintendent of Schools position currently held by Republican Marcia Sheffels. Sheffels announced earlier she plans to retire.
One county position, Clerk and Recorder, has drawn three Republican candidates — county grant writer Debbie Pierson and former Clerk and Recorder employees Char Terry Sherman and Rebekah Eslick Savelle. Current Clerk and Recorder Paula Robinson is not seeking re-election.
In past years, as many as eight Republicans and four Democrats have run for a single county commissioner seat in the primary election. Races for sheriff and justices of the peace have also had contested races.
In local legislative races, incumbent Rep. Jerry O’Neil, R-Columbia Falls, and challenger Zac Perry, D-Martin City, have filed for House District 3, and incumbent Rep. Keith Regier, R-Kalispell, is the lone candidate for House District 4.
The house districts have been realigned somewhat. House District 4 was formerly House District 5 and part of Senate District 3. The two Columbia Falls area house districts are now part of Senate District 2, and incumbent Sen. Dee Brown, R-Coram, is not up for re-election this year.
The primary election will be held Tuesday, June 3, and the general election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 4.