Democrats triple their delegation to Helena

Flathead Democrats won three seats in the Montana Legislature, as Republicans suffered a lost majority in the state Senate, diminished influence in the House and the loss of the governor's mansion.

For Democrats, the 2004 election produced the best results since 1992 in the Flathead, an area that had become a Republican stronghold.

Incumbent Rep. Tim Dowell, D-Kalispell, who edged first-time Republican challenger Craig Witte on a 52- to 48-percent margin in Kalispell's House District 8, attributed the wins to hard work on the part of Democratic candidates and their supporters.

"I think organization is part of it, but also just the shoe leather we put out," Dowell said. "We wanted to hear from folks and their concerns. Now we want to act on what we've been hearing and bring people's concerns to the forefront."

Dowell, who served as the House minority whip during the last session, is likely in line for a leadership position in a House where Republicans now have 50 seats and Democrats 49.

Democrat Dan Weinberg, a newcomer to Flathead politics, defeated Republican Donna Maddux by just 83 votes in the Whitefish area's Senate District 2.

"We put together a wonderful campaign organization that was hitting on all cylinders," said Weinberg, who bolstered his campaign with $20,000 of his own money. "It was a lot of hard work. We've been campaigning for seven months non-stop."

His win helped give Democrats a 27-23 majority in the state Senate.

Democrat Mike Jopek won in the Whitefish area's House District 4, defeating Republican Bill Beck on a 54-45 percent margin.

Four Republican incumbents in the Flathead retained their legislative seats, often by sizable margins.

The winners included Sen. Jerry O'Neil, R-Kalispell, defeating Democrat Vince Woodhouse on a 70-30 percent margin in Senate District 3; Rep. Dee Brown, R-Columbia Falls, defeating Democrat Linda Jaquette 63-37 percent in House District 3; Rep. George Everett, R-Kalispell, defeating Democrat Sam Nickol 68-31 percent in House District 5; and Rep. Verdell Jackson, R-Kalispell, defeating Democrat Shannon Hanson 64-35 percent in House District 6.

Republican newcomer Jon Sonju handily won in House District 6 with 66 percent of the vote. He defeated Democrat James Dettman, who received 28 percent of the vote, and Constitution Party candidate Timothy Martin, who got 5 percent of the vote.

Senate President Bob Keenan, R-Bigfork, was upbeat despite the lost majority in the Senate. He largely attributes Democrat gains to new legislative districts that were shaped to favor Democrats through the redistricting process last year.

"I'm satisfied that we did pretty well considering the steep mountain in front of us caused by redistricting," said Keenan, who will now be in the minority in the coming session.

He said the Democratic shift in Helena was remarkable in light of the heavy support in Montana for President George W. Bush and Rep. Dennis Rehberg, R-Mont.

"It was interesting that Bush won so strong and Rehberg won so strong, and we had a flip in the governor's race," he said.

Keenan said Democratic Gov.-elect Brian Schweitzer and Senate Democrats will now have considerable influence in managing a state budget with a surplus.

"The last two sessions we've had very difficult budget situations and we've been able to pull off minor miracles" in balancing the state budget, Keenan said. "I'm proud of the leadership we took over the last four years. And I'm not at all pessimistic about having a watchdog role in the minority."

Dowell, Weinberg and Jopek said their campaigns focused on improving the availability and affordability of health insurance in Montana, along with protecting property taxpayers, and providing more balanced representation from the Flathead in Helena.

"I think people want to move forward. I think they're tired of divisive politics. They just want solutions. Their families deserve solutions and for us to come together," Jopek said. "The governor coming from Whitefish also is definitely going to bring a sense of balance to the area."

Dowell said Democratic legislative leaders will be setting their agenda in the weeks to come.

"We certainly are going to be dealing with education and I'd like to see us deal with health care and prescription drugs, and to close some of the tax loopholes that the corporations have been using," he said. "It's time for them to pay for their fair share."

Keenan said it's now up to Democrats to determine whether they retain power in Helena.

"That's totally up to them and what they do," he said. "If they follow through on their rhetoric when [Republicans] were in charge, it'll be short."

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by e-mail at jmann@dailyinterlake.com