Commissioner race awaits voters' choices

The Daily Inter Lake

The race for county commissioner is the dominant contest for countywide elections this year.

Republican heavyweights Jim Dupont and Gary Hall are facing off for their party's nomination, and the winner will face Democrat Steve Qunell in November's general election.

Tuesday is primary election day, with most polls in the Flathead Valley open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voter turnout is expected to be heavy, perhaps in part due to the battle between Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination.

In the commissioners' race, Hall, the incumbent, has built his platform around his experience serving in the position for the past six years. Hall said the county needs his leadership after enduring the most turbulent years in the county's history.

Pressures of exploding growth have created new and difficult issues for the commissioners to face. Hall said during his time as commissioner, he helped hire better county employees, tightened up the county budget, made government more efficient and brought about long-range planning in the Flathead.

Before being elected to the commission, Hall served as mayor of Columbia Falls for five years and was a small-business owner for decades.

"If I was to put myself in the voters' shoes, I'd want someone who has experience," Hall has said. "I want to win and use the experience I have for the benefit of the Flathead. I'd vote for me."

Dupont also has a long history in the Flathead. He served as a deputy sheriff and coroner for 13 years before being elected to four terms as sheriff from 1991-2007.

Under his leadership, the Sheriff's Office underwent numerous changes to become modernized. He also brought in a new fleet of cars and improved pay for his deputies.

His campaign platform rests on three key issues: roads and dust, public safety and private property rights. Dupont said he is running because he believes the county needs someone on the commission who can make better decisions

"I think I can do a better job," Dupont said.

The fact that both candidates are well-known in the county has made for a quiet primary contest. Dupont and Hall did not hold any public debates and participated in just two large community forums.

The other countywide contest is for the position of Clerk of District Court. Incumbent Republican Peg Allison is running unopposed.

In addition to the county commissioner race, there are several primary contests in local legislative races:

Republican

. Senate District 2: Suzanne Brooks, Ryan Zinke.

. House District 5: Keith Regier, Harm Toren.

. House District 9: Bob Keenan, Scott Reichner, David Carlson.

Democrat

. Senate District 2: Gil Jordan, Brittany MacLean.

. House District 8: John de Neeve, Cheryl Steenson.