Candidates file for 2018 election races

At 5 p.m. on Monday, March 12, last minute candidates filed for this year’s elections. In Montana, voters will be wading through 292 legislative candidates running for 100 seats in the House and 25 in the Senate. Of those open seats, 20 are already decided because only one candidate filed, 11 of which are Democrat and nine Republican. Overall, 139 Democrats have filed and 142 Republicans, 20 Libertarians, four Independent, and four Green Party.

In the U.S. Senate race, there are eight candidates running including Republicans Troy Downing of Belgrade, Russ Fagg of Billings, Albert Olszewski of Kalispell, and Matt Rosendale of Glendive. Timothy Adams of Three Forks and Steve Kelly of Bozeman have both filed as Green Party members. Libertarian Rick Breckenridge also filed and Democrat Sen. Jon Tester is seeking his third term.

In the U.S. House race, candidates include Democrats John Heenan of Billings, Grant Kier of Missoula, Lynda Moss of Billings, Jared Pettinato of Bozeman, John Meyer from Bozeman and Kathleen Williams of Bozeman. Also running for the House are Green Party member Doug Campbell of Bozeman and Libertarian Elinor Swanson from Billings. Republican Rep. Greg Gianforte is running to keep his seat he won in a special election last May.

Montana Secretary of State Corey Stapleton certified the Green Party just hours before the deadline for candidates to file for office. He said the party had turned in enough signatures to qualify as a political party in Montana for the 2018 and 2020 election cycles.

In Mineral County four candidates filed for the clerk and tecorder position. Staci McGrew is the current county clerk and recorder and she is not running for re-election. Candidates are Joan Carroll, Kelann McLees, Merry Mueller, and Kristin Parrish.

For county superintendent of schools and treasurer, Mary Yarnall is running for re-election unopposed. County Commissioner Laurie Johnston is also running for re-election unopposed, as are County Attorney Ellen Donohue and Sheriff Mike Boone. Incumbent Justice of the Peace Dale Magone is being challenged by Jessica Schaak.

For House District 14, Republican incumbent Denley Loge of St. Regis, will be challenged by Republican James Mortenson from Paradise, and Democrat Diane Magone of Superior.

The Mineral Community Hospital Board of Directors is also holding elections with Susan Hazlett, Peggy Temple, and John Woodland running for re-election. Also on the ballot are Stephen Ahern, Patrick Metzger, Evelyn Schultz, and Steve Tull.

The St. Regis Volunteer Fire Department Board of Directors is also holding elections with Charles Anderson, Caron Gotcher, Gary Kelley, Terry Lovelace, and Clinton Wolff.

The county general rlection will be held May 8, and the state primary election June 5, with the state’s general election on Nov. 6.