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.
Kalispell City Council moves forward on housing board, development standards along Parkline trail
City councilors narrowly agreed to move forward Monday on two housing-related initiatives championed by Kalispell …
House District 10
This year's battle for House District 10 is best summed up by a classic line from Yogi Berra: It's deja vu all over again.
House District 7
Jon Sonju and Shannon Hanson both believe state government can be trimmed.
Senate District 2
Ryan Zinke and Brittany MacLean have common goals for Montana but differing philosophies on how to achieve them in their candidacies for Senate District 2.
House District 3
Two experienced public servants from the Columbia Falls and Canyon areas are vying to represent the citizens of House District 3 this year.
House District 4
House District 4 candidates agree on one thing: Government and politics are about relationships and working with all sorts of people.
House District 6
House District 6 voters may feel a little sense of deja vu on Nov. 4. Two of the three candidates vying for that seat ran against each other two years ago. And the third candidate is taking his fourth run at a legi…
Senate District 3
Bruce Tutvedt and Mark Holston bring classic Republican and Democrat values to the Flathead Valley's Senate District 3 race, and some stark differences.
House District 11
Pat Estenson, a nursing home administrator, is challenging state Rep. Janna Taylor, a rancher and investor, to represent House District 11, an area including Marion, Kila and Lakeside that stretches south as far as…
Askew wants chance to build consensus, plan for future
Local government is about "the big picture," Whitefish City Council candidate Turner Askew says, not about micromanaging the little things.
Palmer ready to take mayoral reins as a "negotiator by nature"
If the Whitefish City Council were a basketball team, Nick Palmer would be the point guard.
Coughlin touts experience in both mayor, council roles
The philosophy that guides Whitefish Mayor Cris Coughlin's votes on the City Council is this: "Make sure we make decisions today that are for the benefit of Whitefish in the long run and not for the short-term gain…
Friel touts "youth and enthusiasm" in his council bid
For Ryan Friel, being a City Council member isn't about the amount of experience or previous community involvement.
Whitefish council election
The city of Whitefish is conducting a mail-in election for council and mayor races.
Ex-mayor says institutional memory, experience are assets
Mike Jenson has long been an advocate of citizen involvement in city government - that's why he's returning to local politics with a bid for mayor.
Engineer says "professional distance" can be asset on council
For Mark McGlenn, the critical and complex issues facing the community of Whitefish boil down to an all-encompassing theme - growth.