Citing a desire to explore teaching opportunities abroad, Cheryl Steenson, the state representative for Kalispell’s House District 8, does not plan to run for reelection in 2010.
“It was a great experience; I learned a lot,” Steenson said. “There are other opportunities for me as a teacher right now and I’m going to pursue those.”
Steenson, 29, won an extremely close election for the district encompassing downtown Kalispell in 2008, wresting the seat from local restaurant owner and Republican Craig Witte. As a freshman, Steenson sponsored a resolution expressing support for the federal stimulus funds received by Montana, and helped secure funding for Flathead Valley Community College through her seat on the Appropriations Committee.
Steenson praised her colleagues in the mostly Republican Flathead delegation, and lamented that there wasn’t greater bipartisanship in the 2009 session.
“It’s a hard place for an idealist to be,” she said. “I really do envision Montana being a better place if the two sides can work together.”
House District 8, typically a swing district, was a key victory for local Democrats who saw Columbia Falls’ House District 3 and Whitefish’s Senate District 2 flip from Democrat to Republican control in 2008. The makeup of the House was split evenly between the two parties, ensuring a seat as vulnerable as Steenson’s will be fought for hard by Democrats and Republicans.
Steenson plans to continue to serve out her term, and work on issues through her seat on the Education and Local Government interim Legislative committee, as she conducts interviews about teaching opportunities abroad, and continues to teach English at Glacier High School.
“You’re only 29, without being tied down, once in your life,” she said.
While it is still early in the running, Steenson’s decision not to run for reelection provides a glimpse into how some local races could shape up for November 2010. The registration for June’s primary election opens on Jan. 14, but some local candidates are already advertising, and have filed the preliminary paperwork with the state Political Practices Commissioner to raise funds.
With the slogan, “It’s time to get back to business,” former Flathead County undersheriff Chuck Curry already has a Web site launched announcing his intention to seek the Republican nomination for Flathead County sheriff from incumbent Mike Meehan. On his Web site, Curry pledges to cut down on supervisors, restore the position of school resource officer and pursue more grants, if elected.
At the end of the 2009 session, Kalispell House District 7 Rep. Jon Sonju, a Republican, said he plans to run for the open seat in Senate District 4, currently held by Republican Greg Barkus, who is term-limited.
The lone Democrat on the Flathead County Commission, Joe Brenneman, is also up for reelection.
But beyond legislative and local seats, 2010 is likely to pale in comparison to the excitement and drama of 2008’s presidential race, which saw visits to Kalispell from former President Bill Clinton and current Vice President Joe Biden, among other political luminaries.
Montana’s lone statewide race in 2010 is the fight for the seat of Republican Rep. Denny Rehberg, who seeks his sixth term. He faces three Democratic challengers: former party chair Dennis McDonald of Melville, Missoula attorney Tyler Gernant and Melinda Gopher of Missoula. Republican A.J. Otjen of Laurel has also declared her intention to challenge Rehberg for the GOP nomination.