Few file for city posts; candidate deadline is June 30

The Daily Inter Lake

Candidates for city government posts are sparse, but nearly three weeks remain until the June 30 filing deadline.

In Kalispell, incumbent Mayor Pam Kennedy is the lone candidate in that race.

Ward 1 has a two-way contest so far between incumbent Bob Hafferman and Steve Davidson. Incumbent Hank Olson has filed in Ward 2. There are no takers yet for Ward 3, where Jim Atkinson's term is expiring, or in Ward 4, where Jayson Peters' seat is up for grabs.

Kalispell Municipal Judge Heidi Ulbricht has filed for re-election.

Columbia Falls has five City Council positions to fill, but no one has filed yet, the Flathead County Election Department reported.

Two-year terms are open for seats held by Doug Karper and Harvey Reikofski, who were appointed last year to replace Claudette Hohn and Sam Hagen. Both Hohn and Hagen moved out of the area.

Four-year terms are open for seats held by Charles McCubbins, Jolie Fish and Tad Rosenberry.

Fish has filed for mayor in Columbia Falls. There is no city-judge election in Columbia Falls this year.

Filings are likewise scarce in Whitefish, where there are races for mayor, city judge and three council positions.

Nick Palmer is the lone filer to date; he's seeking a council seat.

Incumbent Mayor Andy Feury hasn't filed yet, but said he intends to seek re-election. Former City Council member Shirley Jacobson has also said she'll run for a council seat, but has not yet filed.

Whitefish council incumbents Erik Garberg, Doug Adams and Mark Wagner have indicated they won't run for re-election.

The city of Whitefish requires candidates to turn in a certain number of signatures of registered city voters along with an application. Council candidates need 33 signatures; mayoral candidates need 30 signatures.

In the Whitefish city judge race, incumbent Bradley Johnson faces Valarie Eve.