Late surge of candidates enters City Council races

Last-minute filings in Columbia Falls and Whitefish have created contested City Council races in both cities.

In Columbia Falls there are six candidates for three council vacancies. Incumbents Doug Karper and Darin Fisher have filed for re-election. Julie Plevel, whose term expires the end of the year, did not file for re-election.

Joining the two incumbents in the Columbia Falls city election will be Frederick “Erick” Robbins, John H. Piper, Shawn Bates and Tyler Lee Furry.

The city of Whitefish also has six candidates for three council openings. Incumbents Frank Sweeney and Richard Hildner are seeking further four-year terms. Also running are Sarah Lundstrum, Katherine Williams, Slaney Barton and John Repke.

Whitefish council member John Anderson recently resigned from his position, which is up for election this year. Former council member Sarah Fitzgerald was appointed to fill out Anderson’s term through December, but will not seek re-election.

Whitefish Mayor John Muhlfeld, a former City Council member, is unopposed in his re-election bid.

In Kalispell all three incumbents have filed for re-election: Kari Gabriel in Ward 1, Wayne Saverud in Ward 2 and Rod Kuntz in Ward 3.

Ward 3 is the only Kalispell ward with a contested race. Karlene Osorio-Khor and Christopher Cunningham are challenging Kuntz, who was appointed in August 2014 to fill out the remainder of Randy Kenyon’s term.

City elections will be held Nov. 3 during the general election.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.