The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

In the upcoming primary election, two candidates are running for the position of District Clerk of Court in Blaine County. Tami Mitchell, the incumbent, is being challenged by Jim Doyle.

The current Blaine County District Clerk of Court, Mitchell interacts directly with the judiciary system. To the position, she brings her years of experience served as well as more than seventeen years of experience as a Blaine County Employee. During her service with Blaine County, she has worked as an administrative assistant for the county attorney's office and as a dispatcher and jailer for the sheriff's office.

A resident of Blaine County for 29 years, Mitchell is married to Dennis Mitchell, and the couple has three grown children: Dariane, Jaycie, and Russell Satterfield (Rusty); and one grandson, Layten.

"I have enjoyed serving the Blaine County community and wish to continue in my role," Mitchell said. "My passion as the Blaine County District Clerk of Court drives me to grow, learn, and modernize the office. During my tenure, the computer systems have been updated. In addition, the Unlocatable Mineral Owners Trust Fund is now being housed with the Department of Revenue. I have interacted with and learned so much from the Clerk of Courts in Montana. We have a network that enables us to seek and to receive advice."

Her favorite part of the job is issuing marriage licenses. Mitchell finds pleasure in the excitement, love, and hope she sees in couples who are anticipating their lives together.

One of Mitchell's goals for what she hopes is her next term is to integrate Full Court Enterprise, a software suite mandated by the state, which allows for e-filing and paperless documents.

Voters with any questions are invited to call her office at 357-3230.

Mitchell's challenger, Jim Doyle moved to Chinook in 1988 with his wife Tammy and their two daughters, Adrianne and Brooke. Their girls have since started families of their own, and the Doyles have six grandchildren.

Doyle has worked various jobs, including service with the Blaine County Sheriff's Department as a detention officer and dispatcher, where he remained until mid-1997. Later that year, he accepted a position as the Blaine County Justice Court Clerk for Judge Perry W. Miller. After a few years, he was promoted to Court Administrator and has held that position since.

In his spare time, Doyle volunteers with the Chinook Ambulance Service as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Working as a certified A-EMT, Doyle discovered a passion for helping people and has since upgraded his certification by taking several courses that enable him to provide a higher level of care for critically ill and injured patients.

Doyle told reporters that he chose to run for this position for two reasons. "First, after 23 years with the Justice Court, I am ready for a change. Second, and more importantly, I have had a great deal of support and encouragement from many people in our community, as they feel with my extensive experience, I could effectively make some positive, much needed changes to that office, which in turn would provide more efficient services to the citizens of Blaine County."

Describing himself as more of a "face-to-face kind of guy," Doyle hoped to conduct his campaign by personally meeting the public to promote his ideas and his candidacy. However, with the ongoing COVID-19 situation and not wanting to violate Governor Bullock's Shelter-in-Place Order, he has turned to social media.

In fact, both candidates have a Facebook presence where they list their qualifications and ask for votes.

Claiming a commitment to the people of Blaine County, Doyle encourages questions either by Messenger or by phone: (406) 399-2057.

Jim Doyle - District Clerk of Court Candidate

When asked about his goals for the office, Doyle replied, "One of my goals would be to ensure that the public has fair and equal access to the services that the office provides, as well as an awareness of what services are available.

"The District Court is a court of record; therefore, personnel must not only have an understanding of how the court system functions but be organized and able to provide those services in a timely manner. Criminal and civil cases being adjudicated in the District Court must also meet strict timelines, and I will make sure that these timelines are met.

"I feel my years of experience working in the Judicial System make me an excellent candidate for this position. I would serve the people of Blaine County with dedication and would execute the duties of that office to the best of my ability."