Municipal election battles heat up in Whitefish, Kalispell

A flurry of last-minute filings for municipal elections in Flathead County has created contested races for mayor and three of Kalispell’s four wards, and a slate of nine candidates for three council positions in Whitefish.

In Kalispell, incumbent Mayor Mark Johnson is being challenged by Ward 4 council member Sid Daoud.

Incumbent Sandra L. Carlson is running unopposed to retain her Ward 1 seat in Kalispell. In Ward 2, incumbent Chad Graham will be challenged by Gabe Dillon, program coordinator for Foys to Blacktail Trails and an employee of Whitefish Outfitters and Tours.

Former Kalispell council member Rod Kuntz, who lost to Ryan Hunter in the 2019 election, has thrown his hat in the ring for Ward 3, where he’ll face a challenge from Jessica Dahlman. Ward 3 incumbent Kyle Waterman did not seek reelection.

Ward 4, where incumbent Tim Kluessner did not file for reelection, will see a two-way battle between newly retired Flathead County Parks and Recreation Director Jed Fisher and Angela Kennedy, a business analyst for WaterStreet who is also a certified project manager.

Kalispell Municipal Judge Lori Adams is unopposed in her bid for another four-year term.

Whitefish council incumbents Ben Davis and Andy Feury face stiff competition this time around. Seven additional candidates filed late in the game. They include Phil Boland, Vincent Deli’Omo, Judy Hessellund, Giuseppe "G-Man" Caltabiano, Kristen Riter, Terry K. Petersen and Mark E. Owens.

Whitefish council member Ryan Hennen did not file for another term.

Whitefish Municipal Judge William Hileman Jr. is running for reelection as the lone candidate for his position.

There are no contested races in Columbia Falls, where all incumbents are seeking another four-year term. They include Michael Shepard, Jenny Lovering and Paula Robinson. Longtime Mayor Don Barnhart also is running for reelection.

Municipal elections will be held Nov. 2.