Thelen seeks Polson mayor position to resolve financial and quality-of-life issues
EMILY MESSER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 months, 3 weeks AGO
Phil Thelen
Emily Messer joined the Lake County Leader in July of 2025 after earning a B.A. degree in Journalism from the University of Montana. Emily grew up on a farm in the rolling hills of southeast Missouri and enjoys covering agriculture and conservation. She's lived in Montana since 2022 and honed her reporter craft with the UM J-School newspaper and internships with the RMEF Bugle Magazine and the Missoulian. At the Leader she covers the St. Ignatius Town Council, Polson City Commission and a variety of business, lifestyle and school news. Contact Emily Messer at [email protected] or 406.883.4343 | October 16, 2025 12:00 AM
47-year-old Phil Thelen is running for Polson mayor and aims to resolve the financial challenges and address the quality-of-life issues that face the community.
Thelen is on the ballot as Marlow Thelen. He is originally from rural Minnesota but has called Polson home for the last 18 years. Thelen has been a general contractor for the last 29 years,“building this town up,” and owns TCH Builders & Remodeling.
Thelen is raising his 15-year-old son Carter, who has been attending Polson schools since kindergarten. He also currently serves on the Local Government Study Review Commission.
In his pursuit of mayor Thelen hopes to influence the community's future and aims to resolve the financial challenges.
“My primary objective is to represent the needs of the citizens/community of Polson and address critical quality-of-life issues that impact our residents,” Thelen stated. “Furthermore, I intend to help guide community development and contribute to maintaining Polson as a thriving, safe and aesthetically pleasing community.”
Thelen hopes to achieve this by influencing local governance, shaping the community’s future and addressing specific regional issues. He plans to implement tangible changes that enhance the quality of life "for our great small lakeside community” and hopes to preserve the essence of what Polson has always been known for.
ARTICLES BY EMILY MESSER
Polson commissioners hear plan for reducing E. coli in Flathead Lake
Representatives from the Flathead Lakers and the Polson Bay Golf Course presented a plan to the Polson City Commission last Wednesday to reduce stormwater runoff, which had caused increased levels of E. coli in Flathead Lake near Boettcher Park.
City Commission finalizes Salt Cafe grant, hears from market vendors
The Polson City Commission council chambers were full of support Monday night for Andrew Perkins, owner of Salt Cafe, who has been awaiting funding from the Tax Increment Finance District grant he received nearly three years ago.
Foundation established for Polson Police
A non-profit called the Polson Police Foundation was launched at the end of 2025 to support the department by contributing to training, officer wellness, critical equipment and community initiatives.