Full slate for voting this year: Filing opens Jan. 23 for host of elected offices
America's 230-year experiment with democracy continues on Jan. 23, when the filing period opens for various federal, state and county elected positions.
By WILLIAM L. SPENCE
The Daily Inter Lake
America's 230-year experiment with democracy continues on Jan. 23, when the filing period opens for various federal, state and county elected positions.
Several major county offices are up for vote this year, including one commissioner's seat and the sheriff's job.
Two state Senate districts and nine state House districts here also are on the ballot, plus all three District Court judgeships and races for Montana's U.S. representative and one U.S. Senate position.
The filing period for all of these positions runs from Jan. 23 to March 23. The primary election takes place on June 6 with the general election Nov. 7.
Following are details on which offices are up for election this year:
Flathead County
-Commissioner, District 3 - This district covers the western part of the county. Candidates must have lived in the district for two years prior to the election, but the position is voted on countywide.
Incumbent: Bob Watne
2005 annual salary: $55,265
Term of office: Six years
-Clerk and Recorder
Incumbent: Paula Robinson
Salary: $55,265
Term of office: Four years
-Sheriff
Incumbent: Jim Dupont
Salary: $55,265
Term of office: Four years
-County Attorney
Incumbent: Ed Corrigan
Salary: $84,784
Term of office: Four years
-Superintendent of Schools
Incumbent: Marcia Scheffels
Salary: $53,665
Term of office: Four years
-Treasurer
Incumbent: Adele Krantz
Salary: $54,265
Term of office: Four years
-Justice of the Peace - One full-time and one half-time position up for vote.
Incumbents: David Ortley (full time) and Dale Trigg (half time)
Salaries: $79,898 (full time) and $26,633 (half time)
Term of office: Four years
-Flathead Conservation District - Three positions
Incumbents: Ron Buentemeier, Frank DeKort, Marc Vessar
Salary: None
Term of office: Four years
Montana
-State Representative, Districts 3 through 11
Incumbents: Dee Brown (District 3), Mike Jopek (District 4), George Everett (District 5), Verdell Jackson (District 6), Jon Sonju (District 7), Tim Dowell (District 8), Bill Jones (District 9), Bernie Olson (District 10), Janna Taylor (District 11)
Note: Jackson and Dowell can't run again because of term limits
Salary: About $77 per day while in session, plus a daily expense allowance of about $90.
Term of office: Two years
-State Senator, Districts 4 and 5
Incumbents: Greg Barkus (District 4) and Bob Keenan (District 5)
Note: Keenan can't run again because of term limits
Salary: Same as for representatives
Term of office: Four years
-District Court Judge
Incumbents: Kitty Curtis, Ted Lympus and Stewart Stadler
Salary: $94,099
Term of office: Six years
Other state positions that Flathead County voters will weigh in on this year include two Supreme Court justices, the clerk of the Supreme Court, and the Montana Public Service Commissioner for District 5.
Federal
-U.S. Senator
Incumbent: Conrad Burns
Salary: $158,100
Term of office: Six years
-U.S. Representative
Incumbent: Denny Rehberg
Salary: $158,100
Term of office: Two years
Depending on where they live, local residents also will vote this year on various school trustee positions, school levies, fire district trustees and two Bigfork Land Use Advisory Committee positions.
These elections all take place on May 2.