There was a wave of election filing activity in the days leading up to Monday’s deadline for candidates to enter local legislative races.

After several years of prominence in the Montana House, Rep. Scott Reichner, R-Bigfork, abruptly withdrew as a candidate for Senate District 5.

Reichner, who was most well-known for leading state workers compensation reform efforts, could not be reached Monday to comment on why he chose to withdraw.

His departure leaves former Senate President Bob Keenan as the sole Republican candidate in the race. Keenan left the Senate eight years ago because of term limits, but he is now eligible to serve in the Legislature again.

Also in the Senate District 5 race is Bigfork resident Daniel King, who filed as a Democratic candidate on Monday.

Statewide, Democrats say they have at least one candidate for each of the 125 state House and Senate seats up for election for the first time in recent memory. Republicans now control both chambers.

Kalispell resident Elizabeth Cummings recently filed as a Democrat in Senate District 4. Also in that race are Speaker of the House Mark Blasdel and former Kalispell Mayor Tammi Fisher, both Republicans. 

In the Columbia Falls-area House District 3, Chris Colvin recently filed as a Libertarian candidate. Colvin has identified himself as a Democrat in past correspondence with the Daily Inter Lake, but he said Monday his views are more in line with the Libertarian Party.

He didn’t file as a Democrat, he said, “because I don’t agree with either the Democratic or Republican agendas ... The Democrats won’t have me because I’m too conservative.”

Also in the House District 3 race are Republican incumbent Rep. Jerry O’Neil and Democrat Zac Perry.

Kalispell resident Melanie Knadler recently filed as a Democrat in House District 4, challenging Republican incumbent Rep. Keith Regier.

Another Democrat who recently filed is Columbia Falls resident Diane Frances Taylor, who entered the House District 9 race to challenge Republican incumbent Rep. Randy Brodehl.

Roxanna Brothers, Catherine Henderson and Alex Schaeffer of Kalispell all filed late Monday as Democratic candidates in House District 7. There also will be a Republican primary runoff between Frank Garner and Ronalee Skees in District 7.

In the Polson area’s House District 12, Democrat William McLaughlin filed to challenge Republican incumbent Rep. Greg Hertz.

Recent filings were not limited to Democrats. Whitefish resident John Michael Myers filed as a Republican in House District 5, setting up a primary contest with Republican Doug Adams. The winner will go on to challenge incumbent Rep. Ed Lieser, the only Democrat currently in the Flathead legislative delegation.