“I see a lot of potential for growth in this county, and I’d like to be part of the decision making,” said Cory Knutson, candidate for Lake County Commissioner. “I have three grandkids that live here, and I just want to help make Lake County a great place for them to grow up and live.”

The Republican faces incumbent Bill Barron in the upcoming June 2 primary election. There are no Democrats on the ballot for commissioner. Ballots will be mailed May 8 to all active, registered voters within the county. They must be in the Election Office by 8 p.m. on June 2 in order to be counted.

Knutson grew up working with his grandparents and parents who farmed and ranched, and his family started Country Foods. He credits his father with instilling in him an ethic he is featuring as he campaigns for the commissioner’s office: “Dedication, Honesty, and Hard Work.”

Knutson said he is an experienced business owner and manager. He is currently owner-operator of Diamond K Trucking out of Polson. Before that he spent many years as a truck driver and mechanic, much of it as shop foreman, and at Country Foods, coming back as Food Safety Manager when it was acquired by new owners. His wife and one daughter teach in the Polson schools; another daughter is director of nursing at a nursing home in Ronan.

Knutson emphasizes his ability to work with people and look at an issue from many sides in order to make a good decision.

“I just think there are more ways than one to look at a decision,” he said.

He said it shouldn’t be one sided, and people need to be able to think outside the box and evaluate many different viewpoints.

“I am really looking forward to working with the [CSKT] Tribe,” Knutson said, if elected. “We all live in this one small area together, and we can work together to just try to make it better.”

He had hoped to introduce himself at Tribal Council, but coronavirus restrictions kicked in and made that not possible.

Knutson recognizes how challenging the job of county commissioner can be, and feels he’s up to it, as a service to his community.

“I’m ready for some good challenges,” he said. “I’m going to go forward and give it my all.”