Late filers create contested elections

Three more candidates for City Council openings filed Monday before the 5 p.m. deadline, creating contested races in Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Kalispell’s Ward 4.

Former Flathead County Clerk and Recorder Paula Robinson, who retired in 2014, filed for a council seat in Columbia Falls. Robinson joins Stephen J. Duffy and incumbents Mike Shepard and Jenny Lovering in vying for three open seats.

Columbia Falls council member Dave Petersen did not file for re-election.

In Whitefish, Ryan G. Hennen threw his hat in the ring for a council seat. Hennen is a 2003 Whitefish High School graduate. He joins Melissa Hartman and incumbents Andy Feury and Pam Barberis in vying for three open seats.

Whitefish council member Jen Frandsen is not running for a second term.

Paige Rappleye filed Monday for a council seat in Kalispell’s Ward 4, setting up a three-way contest with Sid Daoud and incumbent Tim Kluesner. Rappleye ran unsuccessfully last year for a state legislative seat in House District 8. She is the office administrator at Glacier Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, and also is the administrator and community organizer for Love Lives Here Flathead Valley.

Other contested races in the Nov. 7 city election include a three-way race for municipal court judge in Whitefish. William Hileman Jr., Kristi Curtis and Thomas Tornow are competing for the position held by Judge Bradley Johnson, who is retiring.

In the Columbia Falls mayoral race, incumbent Mayor Don Barnhart faces a challenge from John Rallis.

Kalispell’s Ward 3 has a three-way race including Karlene Osorio-Khor, Kyle Waterman and incumbent Jim Atkinson.

Kalispell Mayor Mark Johnson and Kalispell Municipal Court Judge Lori Adams are unopposed.

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