Commissioner Cal Scott crosses party lines to endorse Democrat as successor

Flathead County Commissioner Cal Scott, a Republican, has endorsed Democrat Stacey Schnebel as the best candidate to fill his seat on the commission.

Scott attended the Flathead Democratic Party’s monthly meeting Tuesday in Whitefish to declare his support for Schnebel.

“I’ve been impressed with her intelligence, her wit, her understanding and willingness to learn, and her tenacity to work through all the process and learn from the department heads,” Scott said.

“With this young lady right here, we’ve got the youth, the desire to learn, the desire to work and the desire to listen and to make a real difference in this county. So I endorse Stacey.”

Schnebel and Scott embraced following the endorsement while members in attendance applauded.

Scott was soundly defeated in the Republican primary in June by former Whitefish City Council member Phil Mitchell. Schnebel and Mitchell will square off in the November general election.

Schnebel was “pleasantly surprised” Scott attended the meeting to publicly voice his endorsement. She said his support could boost her campaign.

“It certainly won’t hurt my campaign,” she said. “It’s only a good thing to have a sitting commissioner express that he has confidence in my ability and desire to serve the county.”

Schnebel defeated retired railroader Jack Garlitz in the June primary. She owns the website optimization company UnderCurrent Web and is a co-owner of the Stonefly Lounge in Coram.

Scott was appointed to the commission in March 2012 to replace the late Jim Dupont. His term ends in January.

Matt Baldwin is editor of the Whitefish Pilot.