Local candidates begin filing for 2020 election
The opening day of candidate filing for the 2020 Montana election set the stage for competitive races in a few local legislative districts.
Jerry O’Neil and Norm Nunnally, both running as Republicans, filed to represent Senate District 2 and replace Republican Dee Brown. Brown has represented the district – which includes Columbia Falls and the North Fork and Canyon areas – since 2013, but is term-limited from running again.
According to Nunnally’s LinkedIn page, Nunnally is retired, though currently serving as president of Montanans for Multiple Use. Meanwhile, O’Neil is seeking to return to the Legislature after representing House District 3 from 2011 until 2015. He lost to Democrat Zac Perry by 34 votes in the 2018 election.
Perry resigned from the seat on Sept. 1, 2019, to attend school, and was replaced by Polebridge resident Debo Powers. Powers, also a Democrat, has filed to retain her seat.
Also filing for House District 3 is Republican Braxton Mitchell. Mitchell is a recent graduate of Columbia Falls High School.
Rep. Frank Garner, R-Kalispell, and Rep. David Dunn, R-Kalispell, filed for re-election to House Districts 7 and 9. Dave Fern, D-Whitefish, filed for re-election to House District 5.
The deadline for candidates to file for office is March 9. The primary election takes place June 2 with the general election Nov. 3.
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