Election filing begins

by The Daily Inter Lake
| January 14, 2010 2:00 AM

Candidates for political offices in November’s election can begin filing nomination papers today. Filing continues through March 15.

A primary election will be held June 8 to determine candidates for the Nov. 2 general election.

In Flathead County there will be numerous county races.

Those whose terms are expiring include Sheriff Mike Meehan, County Commissioner Joe Brenneman, Clerk and Recorder Paula Robinson, County Attorney Ed Corrigan, Treasurer Adele Krantz, Superintendent of Schools Marcia Sheffels and Justices of the Peace David Ortley and Mark Sullivan.

Former Undersheriff Chuck Curry announced in December that he intends to run for Flathead County Sheriff on the Republican ticket.

A new position in this year’s election is Flathead County’s fourth district judge post. Although it serves Flathead County, candidates for the post file with the state.

Ortley announced Jan. 6 that he intends to file for the fourth District Court position in Flathead County. The 2009 Legislature created the new judge position, with the six-year term to start on Jan. 2, 2011. Ortley’s current four-year term as Justice of the Peace ends Dec. 31, 2010.

In other state races, seats are available in all 100 Montana House districts.

In Flathead County, state Senate seats currently held by Republicans Greg Barkus in Senate District 4 and Verdell Jackson in Senate District 5 will be up for grabs.

Kalispell resident Michael John Davis earlier this month announced his intention to run as a Republican for the city’s core House District 8. A second Republican candidate, Kalispell general contractor Carl Glimm, announced Wednesday that he would file papers for House District 8 today.

The House District 8 incumbent, Rep. Cheryl Steenson, D-Kalispell, announced she does not intend to seek re-election because of plans to explore teaching opportunities abroad.

For more election information, go to the Montana Secretary of State Web site at http://sos.mt.gov. For more information on county races, go to http://flathead.mt.gov/election.