Politics & Government
The Daily Inter Lake’s Politics & Government section delivers updated local and national political coverage, featuring legislative developments, elections, policy debates, and government actions shaping Montana.
Counting machines add vote of confidence to elections security
The conference room of the Flathead County Elections Department whirred with noise. Volunteers rattled off strings…
Public lands, business climate nucleus of HD3 race
The race for House District 3 features two candidates focused on creating living-wage jobs within the district, which stretches across the western half of Glac…
Three candidates contend for House District 6 seat
The race for House District 6 has paired a veteran Republican representative against two new candidates who have said they represent minority voices “voting th…
District 7 candidates looking at Montana's future
Democratic candidate Lynn Stanley is challenging Republican incumbent Frank Garner in the House District 7 race.
Independent challenges incumbent in District 10
Independent James H. Swanson knows it’s a long-shot he’ll beat Republican incumbent Mark Noland in the race for House District 10. Still, Swanson said he didn’…
Newcomer challenges longtime House member for District 2
With Kootenai National Forest land covering approximately 80 percent of Lincoln County, House District 2 candidates are heavily focused on natural resources, p…
Two newcomers race for House District 1
Two political newcomers, Republican Steve Gunderson and Democrat Steve Haarstick, are running for House District 1, which covers Libby and Troy in the southwes…
Not all candidates on ballot serious about winning
Montana Democrats, who haven’t captured a majority in both houses of the Legislature in more than a decade, have increased efforts in recent years to grow the list of blue names on statewide election ballots. Campa…
HD11 candidates talk business and education
The race for House District 11 pits Republican Derek Skees who wants to stimulate the economy and reduce government spending, against Democrat Eileen Bech who …
Political newcomers contend for open SD6 seat
The race for Montana’s Senate District 6, which hugs most of the shore of Flathead Lake and extends from Polson through the Lower Valley, offers a choice betwe…
Gianforte criticizes Dem attacks on job record
During a Thursday editorial board meeting with the Daily Inter Lake, Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte criticized his opponent while dismissing attacks on his record of job creation and stream acces…
State candidates talk local issues at City Council forum
Kalispell City Council hosted state legislative candidates Wednesday at a forum focused on local issues, drawing a wide spectrum of answers from the slate of candidates contending to represent Kalispell-area distri…
Juneau says she would change discourse on gays and lesbians
GREAT FALLS (AP) — Montana's first openly gay federal candidate said Wednesday that electing her to Congress would be a historical event that could change the …
Senate candidates contrast on land transfer
Voters in Northwest Montana’s vast and sparsely populated Senate District 7 are likely to hear a lot about public land issues in the final run-up to Election D…
Job creation a top priority for SD2 incumbent
Running unopposed for reelection to her Senate District 2 seat, Dee Brown, R-Hungry Horse, will enter her second term next year, barring a successful write-in …
Regier and Hartman vie for open SD3 seat
The upcoming election in Senate District 3, which extends from Whitefish to northwest Kalispell and the West Valley, pits Republican Rep. Keith Regier against Democrat Melissa Hartman.