We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
Tuesday morning, February 17 was a busy one for candidate filing at the courthouse as reported by Blaine County Deputy Clerk & Recorder/Election Manager, Savannah Wendeln. As of 12:00 p.m., eight candidates had filed.
Because Governor Greg Gianforte signed House Bill 207 into law last May, the candidate filing period ends on March 4. Any Blaine County resident still wishing to file will need to do so in this shortened period.
“I believe it’s important to keep election information in front of voters and encourage engagement whenever possible,” Wendeln stated. “I hope voters are engaged in these midterm elections, as many of our local elected offices will appear on the June and November ballots. County government is often the most immediate and impactful level of government in residents’ daily lives. Local elections are not symbolic; they are operational, and the outcomes directly affect services, budgets, and community priorities.”
In partisan races, only one position remains without candidates. As of press time, no one had yet filed for the six-year position of Commissioner in District #1. However, five positions do currently have candidates: Kelsie Whitney Harwood, a Democrat, filed for County Attorney; Chris Adair, a Republican, filed for the four-year position of Sheriff/Coroner; Pauly B. Miller, a Republican, filed for the County Clerk & Recorder/ Assessor/Election Administrator; Savannah Wendeln, a Democrat, also filed for County Clerk & Recorder/Assessor/Election Administrator; Kendall Harwood, a Democrat, filed for County Superintendent of Schools; and Tori DesRosier filed for the four-year term of Treasurer as a Democrat.
In non-partisan races, three candidates have filed for the Justice of the Peace position: Jim L. Doyle, Monty Valdez, and John Colby. However, no one has yet filed for the four-year position as Soil Conservation District Supervisor.
As of noon on February 17, all of these candidates still needed to be certified by the Commissioner of Political Practices before they can appear on the primary election ballot.
“We will also have contested school trustee races in School District 10 (Chinook) and School District 12 (Harlem), which should generate additional local interest,” Wendeln added.
