Candidates enter Flathead County races
HEIDI DESCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 months, 2 weeks AGO
Stickers for voters who cast their ballots at the Trade Center at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Tuesday, Nov. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
DEPUTY EDITOR, FEATURES Heidi Desch is the Deputy Editor at the Daily Inter Lake, overseeing coverage of arts, culture, lifestyle, community, and business. Desch leads reporters in developing stories that highlight the people, traditions, and events shaping Northwest Montana, guiding content across print and digital platforms. With more than 20 years of journalism experience, including serving as managing editor of the Whitefish Pilot, Desch is a graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism. She has received multiple Montana Newspaper Association awards, including part of the team leading the Daily Inter Lake to Best Daily Newspaper in Montana Award and the General Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. IMPACT: Heidi’s work connects readers with stories that deepen the understanding of the community beyond daily news. | 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.
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