Candidates enter Flathead County races
HEIDI DESCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 days, 4 hours AGO
DEPUTY EDITOR, FEATURES Heidi Desch is Deputy Editor for Features at the Daily Inter Lake. She leads coverage of arts, culture, lifestyle, and community. Desch works with reporters and contributors to develop feature storytelling that highlights the people, traditions and events that shape the NW Montana region. In her leadership role, she guides feature content across both print and digital platforms. Her work helps connect readers with the stories that define the community beyond the daily news cycle. IMPACT: Heidi’s work highlights the people, traditions and local culture that make Northwest Montana unique. | March 11, 2026 12:00 AM
Several candidates filed by Wednesday’s deadline to run for elected positions in Flathead County.
Four candidates are running for county commissioner. Incumbent Republican Brad Abell is seeking reelection for a second term. Whitefish builder Casey Malmquist has filed to run as an independent.
Democrats Nathan Dugan and Colton Little will face off in the June primary in the race for commissioner. Dugan is a physical therapist and Little is a student at Flathead Valley Community College.
Incumbent Republican Sheriff Brian Heino faces newcomer fellow Republican Evie Cahalen in the primary to decide who will appear on the November ballot. Heino is seeking his third term, while this is Cahalen’s first run for county sheriff.
Republican candidates Cheryl Hohman and Sheena Sterling are seeking the position of clerk and recorder. Incumbent Republican Debbie Pierson did not file for the election.
Hohman works managing land records for the county. Sterling is the manager in the clerk and recorder office.
Justice of the Peace Tim Wenz is seeking to retain his seat on the bench against challenger Angela Ream in the nonpartisan election. Wenz was appointed in 2025 to fill a vacancy. Ream is an executive legal assistant.
Republican Tricia Haverkorn, who is the accounting supervisor in the county treasurer’s office, is the sole candidate running for county treasurer. Incumbent Republican Adele Krantz is not seeking reelection.
County Attorney Travis Ahner has filed seeking a third term, and Marcia Stolfus has filed to continue as the county superintendent of schools. Both are Republicans and are running unopposed.
Justice of the Peace Eric Hummel is also unopposed in seeking reelection to the nonpartisan position.
The primary election is June 2, and the general election is Nov. 3.
ARTICLES BY HEIDI DESCH
Candidates enter Flathead County races
Four candidates are running for county commissioner.
Candidates enter Flathead County races
Four candidates are running for county commissioner.
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