Dupont ousts Hall; Flathead backs Obama
Logan Marsh, 3, balances himself against a voting booth while waiting for his mother, Carol Marsh, to vote at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Tuesday. Garrett Cheen/Daily Inter Lake
The Daily Inter Lake
(Note: This story was updated Wednesday with final numbers from the election department)
Jim Dupont has limited Gary Hall to one term as Flathead County commissioner.
Dupont, longtime former sheriff, far outdistanced incumbent Commissioner Hall in Tuesday?s primary election to win the Republican nomination for the county?s top job.
In unofficial final results, Dupont had 8,065 votes (69 percent) to Hall?s 3,585 votes (31 percent).
Dupont now faces Democrat Steve Qunell (who was unopposed in the primary) in November?s general election.
?I?m looking forward to the challenge,? Dupont said Tuesday night. ?I?m surprised by the margin. I thought we had a fair campaign and obviously the people made their choice.?
Dupont campaigned on three key issues: roads and dust, public safety and private property rights. He said he is running because he believes the county needs someone on the commission who can make better decisions.
Referring to issues ranging from zoning to neighborhood plans and other county regulations, Dupont said that if he wins in November, he would ?like to get everything in the county on an even playing field. The regulations have to be equal to everyone.?
In his campaign, Hall touted his experience serving in the position for the past six years.
Flathead voters also resoundingly backed Sen. Barack Obama, giving the Illinois Democratic senator 6,588 votes to Sen. Hillary Clinton?s 4,096.
Five local legislative races also were on Tuesday?s ballot.
In the closest contest, Brittany MacLean narrowly defeated Gil Jordan for the Democratic nomination in state Senate District 2. MacLean finished with 1,266 votes to Jordan?s 1,119.
In the other Democratic legislative race, Cheryl Steenson defeated John de Neeve, 688 votes to 365 votes, for the House District 8 nomination.
On the Republican side, Scott Reichner won the House District 9 nomination with 881 votes. Former Senate President Bob Keenan finished with 662 votes and David Carlson with 157 votes.
Ryan Zinke won the Republican nomination in Senate District 2 with 1,448 votes to Suzanne Brooks? 639 votes. He will face MacLean in November?s general election.
In the House District 5 race, Keith Regier defeated Harm Toren, 1,102 votes to 553 votes.
Turnout was heavy for the election, with 23.120 of the county?s 54,805 registered voters (42 percent) participating.
Following are unofficial final Flathead County results from Tuesday?s primary election.
23,120 ballots cast (11,026 Democrat, 12,094 Republican)
42.19 percent turnout
REPUBLICAN
U.S. President
John McCain 7,792
Ron Paul 3,674
Commissioner Dist. 1
Jim Dupont 8,065
Gary D. Hall 3,585
State Senate Dist. 2
Ryan Zinke 1,448
Suzanne Brooks 639
State House Dist. 5
Keith Regier 1,102
Harm Toren 553
State House Dist. 9
Scott M. Reichner 881
Bob Keenan 662
David G. Carlson 157
Roger Daley 78
DEMOCRATIC
U.S. President
Barack Obama 6,588
Hillary Clinton 4,096
State Senate Dist. 2
Brittany MacLean 1,266
Gil Jordan 1,119
State House Dist. 8
Cheryl Steenson 688
John de Neeve 365