A retired mental-health recovery center director has filed as a Democrat for the District 2 Flathead County commissioner position held by Pam Holmquist.

Eileen Lowery, 57, is the treasurer for the Flathead County Democratic Party and said she has been interested in local government for some time.

“It’s a passion of mine,” she said. “I am concerned about strengthening communities and making good decisions that affect all of us.”

Lowery was the director of three mental-health recovery centers in Northern California before retiring and moving to the Flathead Valley five years ago to be closer to family members who live here. She is a native Montanan and also was a school teacher for a time.

Limiting urban sprawl, maintaining a hometown community atmosphere and preserving water quality are among the issues she believes are important. She supports the consolidated 911 emergency dispatch center and would like to explore funding options for the center.

Lowery said her background in mental health gives her a good understanding about the importance of investing in young people.

“If we’re proactive with these kids, if we invest money in libraries, then we won’t have to invest as much in building more jails,” she said.

The commission’s District 2 covers the central and southeastern areas of the county.

Holmquist, the current chairwoman of the commission, was elected in 2010 and is running for re-election. She has one Republican challenger so far, county fairgrounds Maintenance Supervisor Tim Harmon.

The deadline to file for county and state elections is March 14.