Election Filings: More Candidates File for State, County Seats

Local candidates continue to file for state and Flathead County offices, adding to the initial flurry of filings from January.

In state races, Steven Thompson of Kalispell officially filed as a Republican candidate for the House District 7 seat, previously held by Republican Jon Sonju. Sonju, in turn, filed for termed-out Republican Sen. Greg Barkus’ open seat in Senate District 4.

Mark L. Peck, a Republican from Columbia Falls, is the latest to add his name to the race for H.D. 3, which encompasses Columbia Falls and the canyon. The seat is open due to the term limiting of Dee Brown, a Republican from Hungry Horse. The other candidates are Democrat Gene Marcille of Columbia Falls, and Republicans Harm Toren of Columbia Falls and Sandy Welch of Martin City.

Michael-John Davis, a Republican from Kalispell, has officially filed as a candidate for H.D. 8. The district’s previous seat holder, Cheryl Steenson, has decided not to seek reelection. Bill Jones, who previously held Bigfork’s H.D. 9 seat as a Republican, said he plans to run for H.D. 8 as an independent, though he has not yet filed.

Republican J. Garth Cox of Polson filed to challenge incumbent Republican Janna Taylor for her H.D. 11 seat.

Chas Vincent is running for S.D. 1, which encompasses a large part of Lincoln County. The seat is open now that fellow Republican Aubyn Curtiss is termed out. Vincent previously represented the area in H.D. 2, and Republican Mike Cuffe of Eureka is running for that seat.

Eric S. Hummel and Travis W. Bruyer added their names to the race for one of two Justice of the Peace seats. They will run against Paul Sullivan and incumbent Mark Sullivan.

And Kalispell attorney Rich De Jana has filed to run for the newly created Flathead district judge position, along with Kalispell Municipal Judge Heidi Ulbricht, Justice of the Peace David Ortley and attorney Phyllis Quatman.

Candidates can file until March 15.

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