Legislative races may be close

By JIM MANN/Daily Inter Lake

Legislative races in Northwest Montana are expected to be influential in deciding the balance of the House and Senate, and several races are expected to be close.

"It's likely that the Republicans will control the Senate, and it's too close to call with the House," said Sen. Verdell Jackson, R-Kalispell.

Joan Vetter Ehrenberg, who chairs the Flathead County Democratic Party, also believes some local legislative races will be very close, but she would not make predictions.

"We have one of the best slates of candidates we've had in years for the Flathead County Democratic Party," she said. "All of the candidates are working very hard on their campaigns and we'll just see the results on election night."

Democrats currently hold a 26-24 advantage in the Senate, while the House is divided with 50 Republicans, one Constitution Party representative and 49 Democrats.

Jackson ticked off several local races that he expects to have close finishes, with potential turnovers.

In House District 8, incumbent Rep. Craig Witte, R-Kalispell, is being challenged by Democrat Cheryl Steenson.

"Craig's district has always been a toss-up," Jackson said. "If you look at previous elections it's normally won or lost by less than 50 votes."

He said turnovers are possible in House District 4, with Republican John Fuller challenging incumbent Rep. Mike Jopek, D-Whitefish; and in House District 3, with Democrat Mick Holm going head-to-head with former Republican Rep. Dee Brown.

Brown is trying to regain a seat she lost two years ago in a close race against Rep. Doug Cordier, D-Columbia Falls. Cordier is not seeking re-election.

Jackson believes there will be another close finish in Senate District 2 "because that's been a hard-fought battle up there."

Republican Ryan Zinke and Democrat Brittany MacLean, both newcomers to politics, are vying to succeed Sen. Dan Weinberg, D-Whitefish, who is not seeking re-election.

Here's a roundup other legislative races in the region:

. In Senate District 3, the contest is between Republican Bruce Tutvedt and Democrat Mark Holston. The seat is currently held by Sen. Jerry O'Neil, a Republican who is not seeking re-election because of term limits.

. In Lake County's Senate District 6, incumbent Sen. John Brueggeman, R-Polson, is being challenged by Constitution Party candidate Neal Donohue.

. The House District 5 race is between Republican Keith Regier and Democrat Jake Pannell. The seat is currently held by Rep. George Everett, a Republican who cannot seek re-election because of term limits.

. In House District 6, Rep. Bill Beck, R-Kalispell, is being challenged by Democrat Scott Wheeler.

. In House District 7, Rep. Jon Sonju, R-Kalispell, is being challenged by Democrat Shannon Hanson.

. The House District 9 race is between Democrat Edd Blackler and Republican Scott Reichner. The seat currently is held by Rep. Bill Jones, R-Bigfork, who is not seeking re-election.

. In House District 10, Democrat Carla Augustad is challenging Rep. Mark Blasdel, R-Somers.

. In Lincoln County's House District 1, Democrat Eileen Carney is seeking to regain the seat she lost two years ago to Ralph Heinert, who is not seeking re-election. She is being challenged by Republican Gerald Bennett and Constitution Party candidate Freeman Johnson.

. In Lincoln County's House District 2, Rep. Chas Vincent, R-Libby, is being challenged by Democrat Timothy Linehan.

For more on local legislative races, go to www.dailyinterlake.com/local_elections.