Candidate slate finalized for elections

The filing window for candidates in municipal elections in Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls came to a close Thursday with a few more names for the ballot.

In Kalispell, Mark Johnson stands unopposed in his run for the mayoral seat on the Kalispell City Council. Incumbent Mayor Tammi Fisher chose not to run for re-election after one term in office.

Joseph Apple and Sandy Mundahl Carlson are facing off for a Ward 1 seat.

Chad Graham is unopposed in his run for a Ward 2 seat. Incumbent Jeff Zauner did not file for re-election.

Three candidates filed to run for a Ward 3 seat: longtime incumbent Jim Atkinson, Jason Mueller and Karlene Osorio-Khor.

Khor filed to run Tuesday and said she intends to run an issue-driven campaign that focuses in part on Atkinson’s support of proposed Kalispell City Airport upgrades that she opposes.

That airport upgrade also will be on the November ballot for voters. Graham spearheaded a referendum that asks Kalispell voters to uphold or overturn the City Council’s 5-4 decision last summer to proceed with an airport upgrade through the federal Airport Improvement Program.

“I think all of us know of Jim’s record of service to the community, but sometimes the voters need choices and they need a new perspective, and I hope to bring that to this campaign,” Osorio-Khor said.

Incumbent Tim Kluesner filed to run for re-election in Ward 4 and is unopposed.

In Columbia Falls, incumbent Mayor Don Barnhart is the only candidate for that position on the Columbia Falls City Council.

Five candidates are running for three other open seats on the Columbia Falls City Council: incumbents Shawn Bates, Dave Petersen and Mike Shepard as well as Jenny Lovering and Duane Moore.

Four candidates are running for three seats on the Whitefish City Council: Pamela Barberis, Jennifer Frandsen, Life Noell and former Mayor Andy Feury.

Incumbents Chris Hyatt, Phil Mitchell and Bill Kahle chose not to run for re-election.

Municipal judge positions in Kalispell and Whitefish each have one candidate — the incumbent. Judge Bradley Johnson is running for re-election in Whitefish and Judge Lori Adams is running for election in Kalispell after she was appointed to the position in December.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Reporter Tom Lotshaw may be reached at 758-4483 or by email at tlotshaw@dailyinterlake.com.