Four Republican candidates seek commission seat

A four-way race has been set in the Flathead County Commissioner Republican primary.

Three candidates are challenging Commissioner Pam Holmquist who is seeking a third term on the board.

Jack Fallon, who currently serves as vice chair of the Kalispell School District board, filed for the seat last month. Brian Friess, a small business owner, filed for the position on Friday. Bigfork’s Jason Parce put his name in the hat Monday, the last day to file.

Holmquist represents District 2 in the central part of the county and began her first term in 2011.

No Democrats filed to run for any of the positions up for election in the county, according to the Flathead County Election Department as of Monday at 5 p.m.

Two candidates have filed for the County Superintendent of Schools position. Cal Ketchum and Erin Arneson have both filed for the seat as Republicans.

Incumbent Republican Jack Eggensperger did not file for re-election.

Incumbent Clerk and Recorder Republican Debbie Pierson is being challenged by Republican Madelene Howard.

A race has shaped up for the nonpartisan Justice of the Peace Department 1 position. Incumbent Eric Hummel is being challenged by Nicholas Ramlow, who unsuccessfully ran as a Libertarian candidate in 2020 for House District 7 in the Montana Legislature.

Other county incumbents who have filed for re-election are County Attorney Travis Ahner, Sheriff Brian Heino and Treasurer Adele Krantz. All are Republicans and are not being challenged in the election.

In the nonpartisan Justice of Peace Department 2 race, incumbent Paul Sullivan is the only candidate to file.

The primary election is June 7.

Features Editor Heidi Desch can be reached at 758-4421 or hdesch@dailyinterlake.com