Late filers crowd legislative races

Local legislative races got more crowded Thursday - the deadline for filing - with late-comers that included Constitution Party candidates along with veteran legislators and candidates.

Last week there were only two Republican candidates in the Bigfork area's House District 9, but by Thursday there were four.

Longtime legislator and former Senate President Bob Keenan jumped into the hunt, along with Republican Roger Daley. Also in the race are Republicans Scott Reichner and David Carlson.

Edd Blackler is the lone Democratic candidate in House District 9. He filed on Thursday.

Another busy race appears to be in the Polson area's House District 12, which also has five candidates running.

Renn Bodecker was one of several Constitution Party candidates who filed on Thursday. In addition to Bodecker, Republicans Carol Cummings, Ronald Marquardt and Josh King and Democrat John Fleming have filed in House District 12.

Republican Suzanne Brooks entered the Whitefish area's Senate District 2 race this week and will vie against Republican Ryan Zinke in the June primary election. Democrat Brittany MacLean Kasseider also entered the race this week, to face off against fellow Democrat Gil Jordan in June.

The seat is currently held by Sen. Dan Weinberg, D-Whitefish, who is not seeking re-election.

Here's a rundown on candidate filings for other legislative races across Northwest Montana:

. Senate District 3 - Repubican Dane Clark entered the race Thursday, challenging Republican Bruce Tutvedt. Also in the race is Democrat Mark Holston. The seat is currently held by Sen. Jerry O'Neil, R-Columbia Falls, who is not seeking re-election.

. Senate District 6 - Constitution Party candidate M. Neal Donohue entered the race Thursday to challenge the incumbent, Sen. John Brueggeman, R-Polson. No Democrats have filed.

. House District 1 - Three candidates entered the Libby-area race this week: Republicans Susan Ague and Gerald Bennett and Constitution Party candidate Freeman Johnson. Also in the race are Republicans Albert Purviance and Ginny Emerson plus Democrat Eileen Carney. The seat is currently held by Rep. Ralph Heinert, R-Libby, who is not seeking re-election.

. House District 2 - Republican Tessa Anderson filed this week to challenge the incumbent, Rep. Chas Vincent, R-Libby. Democrat Timothy Linehan entered the race Thursday.

. House District 3 - Democrat Michael "Mick" Holm is in the race, along with Republican Dee Brown, a former state representative.

. House District 4 - Incumbent Rep. Mike Jopek, D-Whitefish, is being challenged by Republican John Fuller.

. House District 5 - Republicans Keith Regier and Harm Toren will square off in June. Also in the race is Democrat Jake Pannell. The seat is currently held by Rep. George Everett, R-Evergreen, who is not seeking re-election.

. House District 6 - Constitution Party candidate Timothy Martin entered the race on Thursday, challenging incumbent Rep. Bill Beck, R-Whitefish, and Democrat Scott Wheeler.

. House District 7 - Democrat Shannon Hanson entered the race this week, challenging incumbent Rep. Jon Sonju, R-Kalispell.

. House District 8 - Rep. Craig Witte, R-Kalispell, is seeking re-election, with challenges from two Democrats, John de Neeve and Cheryl Steenson.

. House District 10 - Rep. Mark Blasdel, R-Somers, is seeking re-election, with a challenge from Democrat Carla Augustad.

. House District 11 - Rep. Janna Taylor, R-Dayton, is being challenged by Democrat Robert Stone and Pat Estenson, who both filed on Thursday.

The primary election is June 3.

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