Republicans dominate local legislative races; two Democrats ahead in North Valley

Flathead County again sent Republicans to the Legislature by overwhelming margins, with two apparent exceptions: Whitefish Democrat Ed Lieser was re-elected to the Montana House in District 5, and Zac Perry held on to a narrow lead over incumbent Jerry O'Neil in District 3.

Lieser defeated Republican challenger Doug Adams.

Perry fought a close race against O’Neil all night, but the final count had Perry ahead by 1,522 to 1,479, with Libertarian Chris Colvin collecting a decisive 133 votes.

All the rest of the Flathead’s delegation will be Republicans following voting on Tuesday.

Republican Mark Blasdel, speaker of the Montana House, will advance to the state Senate with Tuesday’s win over Democrat Diane Taylor in Senate District 4.

In the other local Senate race, Republican Bob Keenan handily defeated Democrat Daniel S. King in Senate District 5. Keenan will return to the Legislature after an eight-year absence. He formerly was Montana Senate president.

Here are results from other legislative contests:

House District 4: Incumbent Republican Keith Regier defeated Democrat Melanie J. Knadler.

House District 6: Incumbent Republican Carl Glimm defeated Democrat David Fischlowitz.

House District 7: GOP candidate Frank Garner defeated Democrat Catie Henderson.

House District 8: Incumbent Republican Steve Lavin defeated Lynn R. Stanley.

House District 9: Incumbent Republican Randy Brodehl defeated Democratic challenger JoLynn Yenne.

House District 10: Republican Mark Noland defeated Democrat Ruby M. Dynneson.

House District 11: Republican Albert Olszewski defeated Democrat Kim Fleming.

House District 13: Republican Bob Brown defeated Democrat Weylin Achatz.