Kalispell’s future is on the ballot

Ballots arrived in area mailboxes last week, and while there are no statewide or federal races, Flathead County voters still face several key issues and difficult decisions.

In addition to the $105 million jail bond proposal, voters within Kalispell city limits will elect a new mayor for the first time since 2013, when outgoing Mayor Mark Johnson was first elected.

Three candidates are vying for the mayoral seat: sitting City Councilors Ryan Hunter and Sid Daoud, and local entrepreneur Kisa Davison.

Voters can examine Hunter and Daoud’s decisions on the City Council to gauge how they might lead as mayor. In fact, that’s exactly how Hunter hopes to be evaluated.

“Judge me on my record,” he told the Inter Lake.

Hunter, who has a background in planning, advocates for pedestrian-friendly public infrastructure. He also wants the city to take a more active role in addressing affordable housing and was notably outspoken in his opposition to the Council’s vote to revoke the Flathead Warming Center’s conditional use permit.

Daoud, meanwhile, leans into his libertarian views and favors community action over government intervention. He points to his duck-shaped campaign signs, which reference a public effort to adopt ducks from Woodland Park when the waterfowl population became unmanageable.

“The community solved that problem,” he said.

While this is Davison’s first foray into politics, voters can look to her work with the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce board and the Kalispell Business Improvement District for insight into how she might serve as mayor.

A business owner with a background in nonprofit work, Davison says a fiscally conservative approach is best for Kalispell.

“We don’t have extra fat on this pig. We are lean,” she said, referring to her belief that the city should pursue more grant opportunities to meet funding needs.

Hunter, Daoud and Davison bring distinct perspectives and qualifications to the race, but all appear sincere in their commitment to Kalispell’s best interests.

The Inter Lake editorial board maintains a long-standing policy against candidate endorsements. We believe the newspaper’s first priority is to provide facts and context so readers can make informed decisions about who should hold positions of power. We’re holding to that belief in this election.

Kalispell voters still undecided about who should lead the city for the next four years can review the candidate profiles published in the Inter Lake from Oct. 21 to 23. A series of one-on-one interviews posted to the Inter Lake’s YouTube channel also offers a more candid and personal look at each candidate.

With a new mayor and new city manager on the horizon, this election marks a turning point for a city that is growing and changing at a breakneck pace. The decisions elected officials make today will leave imprints far into the future.

Election Day is Nov. 4. Every ballot counts — study up and vote smart.

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Kalispell Mayoral Candidate Series: Ryan Hunter

Ryan Hunter wants to make Kalispell a more walkable city

Kalispell Mayoral Candidate Series: Kisa Davison

Kisa Davison plans to draw on business experience as mayor

Kalispell Mayoral Candidate Series: Sid Daoud

Kalispell mayoral candidate Sid Daoud embraces 'the will of the people'

Inside Flathead County Jail: The crisis behind the $105 million bond

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