With 13 Republicans vying for two open county commission seats this year, the elections promise to be more entertaining than a junior goat rope at the county fair.

So how are we to get through all the clutter and electioneering noise to determine which candidates are best for the job? Or, because this is Flathead County, which candidates making the claim are actually Republicans?

In some cases, it’s not all that difficult. For instance, candidate Doug Adams (District 1), former Whitefish City councilman, believes that “doughnut” residents should have the right to representation as long as the city “maintains control of the property.” Sorry Doug, that’s not a Republican definition of representation. You’re out of here. Scratch number one.

Terry Kramer (District 3) is the only commissioner candidate that was recently given a fundraiser sponsored by Butch Clark, the individual that proudly claimed credit for electing Democrat Joe Brenneman to the county commission, and actively campaigned for Brenneman’s re-election over Republican challenger Pam Holmquist. During that election, even the Flathead County Republican Party had to run a full-page newspaper ad in defense of Pam by pointing out that Clark is not a Republican. This one is obvious. Scratch number two.

As we look at the remaining Republicans in these races, something else is obvious: The Republicans have a lot of good candidates running for the commission this year. Once again, how do we sort through the clutter and decide?

For me the decision all comes down to determining which of this field of good candidates have not just the knowledge but the experience needed to carry on the groundwork laid by commissioners Holmquist and Jim Dupont to clean up the current planning mess that recently cost local taxpayers and property owners millions of dollars in county corruption mitigation and continuing litigation. And which have the commitment to recognize, respect and protect the rights of private property owners in Flathead County, which would finally clean up this sad chapter in the county’s history.

Based on this criteria, two Republican candidates stand head and shoulders above the rest: Gary Krueger (District 3) and the wise choice of commissioners Holmquist and Lauman as the interim county commissioner to fill Dupont’s seat until the November elections, Cal Scott (District 1).

Gary Krueger, Cal Scott and Pam Holmquist — what a combination. Let’s get it done for Flathead County.

Russell Crowder lives in Marion.