Two Democrats chip away at GOP dominance in Flathead

Although Republicans still dominated in legislative races, Flathead County has doubled the number of Democrats — to two — it is sending to the Montana Legislature next year.

Democrat Zac Perry apparently upset veteran legislator Jerry O’Neil, a Republican, in tight House District 3 balloting.

Perry compiled 1,522 votes, O’Neil had 1,479 and Libertarian Colvin received 133 votes.

Combined with incumbent Ed Lieser retaining his House District 5 seat, that would give Flathead County two Democrats in Helena. All the rest of the Flathead’s delegation will be Republicans following voting on Tuesday.

House District 3 encompasses Columbia Falls, the Canyon and the North Fork.

O’Neil, 71, a paralegal, served eight years in the state Senate and four years in the state House.

Perry, 36, is a substitute teacher at Columbia Falls High School, an employee at O’Brien’s Liquor & Wine and manager of his family’s vacation rental, the Ox Yoke Inn.

This was his third try for the Legislature; he ran unsuccessfully in 2010 and 2012.

Lieser defeated Republican challenger Doug Adams in House District 5, earning Lieser a second term in Helena.

Republicans triumphed handily in all other local legislative contests — by 2-to-1 margins in some races and 3-to-1 margins in others.

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 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.