Election filing deadline is Thursday

Thursday at 5 p.m. is the deadline to file for city elections in Flathead County.

In Kalispell, incumbent Kari Gabriel has filed to retain her Ward 1 seat. In Ward 2, incumbent Wayne Saverud will be challenged by Chad Graham and Erik Jerde. Ward 3 incumbent Randy Kenyon faces opposition from Walter Keathley in Ward 3, and in Ward 4 Phil Guiffrida III has filed. Current Ward 4 councilman Duane Larson is not seeking re-election.

According to the county website, no one has filed yet for three council positions in Columbia Falls. The terms of council members Harvey Reikofski, Julie Plevel and Doug Karper expire at the end of the year.

In Whitefish, current council member John Muhlfeld is so far unopposed for mayor. Current Mayor Mike Jenson has not filed for re-election.

Muhlfeld's council term expires at the end of the year, along with council seats held by Ryan Friel and Turner Askew. Friel and Askew reportedly are not seeking re-election.

Whitefish council candidates as of Friday afternoon were Richard Hildner, Johnathan W. Anderson, Doug Wise and Frank Sweeney.

Sweeney, whose filing was posted Friday on the county website, was appointed to the council in January 2009 to fill the remainder of Shirley Jacobson's term. He ran for a council seat November 2009 but was not elected. Sweeney is a lawyer in Whitefish.

City elections are nonpartisan.

For questions concerning nomination declarations contact the Flathead County Election Department at 758-5535.