GOP primary race develops for state Senate seat

Citing his private sector experience and a home-turf advantage in state Senate District 3, Whitefish businessman Don “K” Kaltschmidt is challenging current House Majority Leader Rep. Keith Regier for the Republican nomination.

Regier, a Kalispell resident and four-term state representative, announced last November he would seek the seat. His son, Matt, filed for his father’s open House seat in January.

Senate District 3 extends northwest from Kalispell, including West Valley, Whitefish and Olney. The seat is open this year, with outgoing Sen. Bruce Tutvedt, R-Kalispell, having held the office for the maximum number of terms.

“I think the main thing between Keith and I, we’re both conservatives, but I think with my business experience, being a business leader in the community, Keith just doesn’t have that,” Kaltschmidt said in an interview Thursday. “I’ve been able to be a principled conservative in a progressive town and get along with everybody.”

Kaltschmidt is the owner of Don K Whitefish vehicle dealerships.

He added that his 31 years in the district allows him to “know the terrain a little better” than his primary opponent.

Regier, who said he has lived in the district since 1988, listed his experience as his edge.

“Senate District 3 came open and it was a good opportunity to use my experience for the people of Senate District 3 in Helena,” he said Thursday. “It’s a pretty diverse district, and I’m well attuned to what the needs are for that area.”

Kaltschmidt said he has hired former state Rep. Scott Reichner as his campaign manager, and also has the support of Bea DePratu, the widow of former state Sen. Bob DePratu.

“[Bob DePratu] mentored me and always wanted me to run,” Kaltschmidt said. “I hope to follow in his footsteps.”

With less than a month left before the candidate filing deadline, Senate District 3 is one of only a handful of contested seats in the Flathead so far.

Rep. Zac Perry, the Democratic incumbent representing House District 3, could face two general election challengers: Republican candidate Taylor Rose and Libertarian candidate Shawn Guymon.

House District 3 stretches from Columbia Falls north to the Canadian border and east to Essex.

Whitefish Republican Chet Billi, an 18-year-old who last summer began pursuing a referendum to allow teachers in the state to carry firearms, has filed to run against Democrat Dave Fern in House District 5.

Outgoing two-term Rep. Ed Lieser, D-Whitefish, endorsed Fern when he announced he wouldn’t seek re-election in the district that includes Whitefish and the surrounding area.

Incumbent Rep. Frank Garner, R-Kalispell, has a Democratic challenger, Lynn Stanley, in the race for House District 7, which covers downtown Kalispell.

In Polson, incumbent Rep. Greg Hertz, a Republican, has filed for re-election to House District 12, along with Democrat Susan Evans.

And House District 13, stretching from Marion to the Idaho border, has incumbent Bob Brown, R-Thompson Falls, running for re-election. Democrat Gerald Cuvillier of Trout Creek also has filed in House District 13.

The candidate filing period ends March 14. Montana’s primary elections are June 7.

As of Thursday, 24 candidates had filed for state legislative office in Northwest Montana.

Senate District 2: Dee Brown, R-Hungry Horse (incumbent)

Senate District 3: Keith Regier, R-Kalispell; Don Kaltschmidt, R-Whitefish

Senate District 6: Albert Olszewski, R-Kalispell

Senate District 7: Jennifer Fielder, R-Thompson Falls (incumbent)

House District 1: Steve Gunderson, R-Libby

House District 2: Mike Cuffe, R-Eureka (incumbent)

House District 3: Zac Perry, D-Hungry Horse (incumbent); Taylor Rose, R-Marion; Shawn Guymon, L-Kalispell

House District 4: Matt Regier, R-Kalispell

House District 5: Dave Fern, D-Whitefish; Chet Billi, R-Whitefish

House District 6: Carl Glimm, R-Kila (incumbent)

House District 7: Frank Garner, R-Kalispell (incumbent); Lynn Stanley, D-Kalispell

House District 8: Steve Lavin, R-Kalispell (incumbent)

House District 9: Randy Brodehl, R-Kalispell (incumbent)

House District 10: Mark Noland, R-Bigfork (incumbent)

House District 11: Derek Skees, R-Kalispell

House District 12: Greg Hertz, R-Polson (incumbent); Susan Evans, D-Polson

House District 13: Bob Brown, R-Kalispell (incumbent); Gerald Cuvillier, D-Trout Creek

Amy Eddy and Dan Wilson, both of Kalispell, filed to run for two Flathead County district judge positions.