A few primary races shape up as filing deadline nears
KRISTI NIEMEYER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 months, 3 weeks AGO
Kristi Niemeyer learned her newspaper licks at weekly newspapers, beginning at the Mission Valley News in 1981, then at the helm of the Ronan Pioneer and, eventually, as co-editor of the Lake County Leader until 1993. She launched and co-published Lively Times, a statewide arts and entertainment monthly, before returning to the Leader in 2022, and serving as its editor until July 2026. Reach her at [email protected] | February 25, 2026 11:00 PM
With the filing deadline less than a week away for county, state and federal candidates, here’s a snapshot of who hopes to gain or retain their seat:
At the federal level, the race for the House seat held by Republican Ryan Zinke in the western congressional district is heating up with four Democrats, Russell Cleveland of St. Regis, Matt Rains of Missoula, Sam Forstag of Missoula and Ryan Busse of Kalispell, vying to unseat the incumbent (who hadn’t filed as of presstime on Tuesday).
The U.S. Senate seat currently held by incumbent Republican Steve Daines, has two additional candidates: Democrat Michael Hummert of Helena and Libertarian Kyle Austin of Billings.
So far, incumbent Judges Molly Owen and John Mercer are the only two who have filed for openings in Judicial District 20, departments 1 and 2, which covers Lake and Sanders counties.
Incumbent Annie Bukacek, a Republican who represents District Five on the Public Service Commission, has filed, as has Helena Democrat David Sanders. The commission regulates utilities across Montana.
Republican incumbent Mark Noland hopes to continue representing Senate District 6; Democrat Patrick Fitzpatrick of Bigfork has also filed for that seat. Democrat Tyson Running Wolf of Browning has filed to represent SD 8, a seat now held by Susan Weber, who represents the Blackfeet and portions of the Flathead reservations.
So far, Republican incumbent Tracy Sharp of Polson is the only candidate who has filed for House District 12. Two Republicans – incumbent Linda Rexsten and political newcomer Finley Ward – have filed to represent HD 13. Democrat Thedis Crowe of Browning is seeking a second term in HD 15, as is Democrat Shelly Fyant of Arlee in HD 91.
As of Tuesday, Polson Republicans William Mitalski and Jesse E. Hernandez have filed to replace incumbent Lake County Commissioner Bill Barron, who is running for his fourth term in District 1, representing the Polson area. So far, existing office holders are the only ones who have filed for the remaining courthouse positions of sheriff, treasurer/assessor, attorney, justice of the peace, clerk and recorder and superintendent of schools.
The candidate filing deadline is Wednesday, March 4. Information is available at www.lakemt.gov/175/Candidate-Filing-Information or sosmt.gov/elections/.
Those races with two or more candidates of the same political party will be winnowed to one during the primary election June. 2.
Curious about the election process? The Lake County Election Office offers trainings for election judges March 12- 27. For more information, call 406-883-7269.
ARTICLES BY KRISTI NIEMEYER
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