Election filing begins

Gary Krueger announced Thursday that he is running for Flathead County commissioner.

Krueger on Thursday filed for the Republican nomination for the District 3 commission spot now held by Dale Lauman. Lauman is not seeking re-election.

Filing for state and county offices opened Thursday and runs through March 12.

In a press release, Krueger, 53, said he is a Flathead Valley native who lives in the West Valley. Krueger owns and operates businesses in the farming, construction and trucking industries.

He is on the Flathead County Board of Adjustment, is a past member of the Flathead County Planning Board and the West Valley School Board and was a West Valley volunteer firefighter.

“Flathead County can create jobs by streamlining the permitting and regulatory processes and promoting and utilizing our natural resources,” Krueger said. “Government’s role should be to stand behind business, not in front of it.”

Krueger and his wife, Jessica, have four adult children.

Terry Kramer and Jay Scott both previously announced their intention to run for the commissioner position. Both men are Republicans.

The only other county filing as of Thursday afternoon was Clerk of District Court Peg Allison, who is seeking re-election.

State filings will be posted on the Secretary of State website at sos.mt.gov/Elections. Flathead County filings will be listed on the county’s website; go to http://flathead.mt.gov/election.

In early filings for state offices, Derek Skees of Kalispell filed as a Republican candidate for state auditor. Skees currently represents House District 4 in the Legislature.

There was one filing for a judicial post: Daniel R. Wilson of Kalispell filed for a Flathead District Court judge position. Wilson currently serves as a justice of the peace for Flathead County.

Several candidates filed for Northwest Montana legislative races Thursday:

Incumbent Republican Keith Regier filed for re-election in the Kalispell area’s House District 5.

Hungry Horse resident Zac Perry filed as a Democrat for House District 3.

Incumbent Republican Steve Lavin filed for Kalispell’s House District 8 while incumbent Republican Scott Reichner of Bigfork filed for House District 9.

In Senate District 2, former House member Dee Brown of Hungry Horse filed as a Republican, while current Republican Rep. Bill Beck of Whitefish filed for the same seat.

Incumbent Republican Bruce Tutvedt filed for re-election in Senate District 3.

Incumbent Republican Carmine Mowbray of Polson filed for Senate District 6, as did Republican Janna Taylor of Dayton, who currently serves in the House.

In Lincoln County, Jerry Bennett of Libby filed for re-election in House District 1 and Mike Cuffe of Eureka filed for re-election in House District 2.