Contested races emerge as more Dems vie for legislative seats

The latest crop of local candidates filing for political office has set up a Democratic primary battle in one district and guaranteed a general-election contest in two other districts.

Garrett Henson of Columbia Falls filed to run in House District 3 against fellow Democrat Debo Powers. Powers was appointed to represent the district – which covers Columbia Falls, the North Fork and the U.S. 2 corridor to Glacier National Park – in October 2019 following the resignation of Zac Perry.

Guthrie Quist is the first Democrat running in Senate District 3. Barring another Democratic challenger, Quist – the son of former 2017 U.S. House candidate Rob Quist – would face off against Republican incumbent Keith Regier, who has held the seat since 2017.

Democrat Kyle Waterman and Republican Paul Longfield each filed to run for the open Senate District 2 seat. Waterman is a member of the Kalispell City Council and the Flathead County Health Board, and is currently the lone Democrat in the race. Longfield joins Carl Glimm, Norm Nunnally and Jerry O’Neil in the Republican primary. Current District 2 Sen. Dee Brown, a Republican, cannot run for re-election because of term limits.

House District 5 will host another primary battle, as Republican Shawn Guymon – who ran for office as a Libertarian candidate in previous elections – filed to run against Republican Catherine Owens. The winner of that primary will challenge incumbent Democrat Dave Fern in the general election.

Jennifer Allen has ensured a general-election battle in House District 10 after filing to run as a Democrat. The Republican primary in that district will pit incumbent Mark Noland against Doug Mahlum.

Prospective candidates have until March 9 to file. The primary election takes place on June 2 with the general election on Nov. 3.

Reporter Colin Gaiser may be reached at 758-4439 or cgaiser@dailyinterlake.com.