House, judge candidates step forward

As the Jan. 15 opening day to file for state and local political races approaches, Kalispell resident Michael John Davis has announced his intention to file as a Republican for the city’s core House District 8.

Davis, a photo-lab manager at Target, said he intends to run a nontraditional grassroots campaign.

“I think there’s way too big a focus on the money in modern campaigning and I don’t like it. I intend to win the seat the way it should  be won ... by getting out there and listening to the needs of the constituents,” Davis said in his announcement.

“My focus is going to be on our economy and no one understands better than I do that right now the average voter needs every dime because the average voter has been laid off, had their hours cut or otherwise felt the impact of this recession and I truly believe that they’ll respond in a big way in June and November,” said Davis, who is a married 20-year-old father.

House District 8 now is represented by Rep. Cheryl Steenson, D-Kalispell.

She recently announced that she does not intend to seek re-election because of plans to explore teaching opportunities abroad.

Currently a teacher at Glacier High School, Steenson narrowly won the House District 8 seat in 2008.

Separately, Justice of the Peace David Ortley announced Wednesday that he intends to file for election for the fourth District Court position in Flathead County.

This new judge position was created by the 2009 Legislature and the newly elected judge’s six-year term begins Jan. 2, 2011.

Ortley’s current four-year term as Justice of the Peace ends Dec. 31, 2010. He cannot file for both positions and said he therefore has chosen to seek election to District Court.

Ortley has served 10 years as Justice of the Peace.