Voters on Nov. 3 will choose between incumbent Tim Wenz and challenger Angela Reams for the Flathead County justice of the peace position up for election this year.

Wenz, a former private attorney and county prosecutor, was sworn in to replace former Justice of the Peace Paul Sullivan in December 2024 after Sullivan was elected to serve as a Flathead County District Court judge. 

Wenz's opponent, Angela Ream, is a U.S. Navy veteran with more than two decades of experience as a legal assistant.  

Both candidates shared their plans for the judicial position with the Daily Inter Lake.  

Tim Wenz

Age: 49 

Occupation: Flathead County justice of the peace 

Education: Bachelor of Science in history/political science from Concordia College; Juris Doctor from University of Montana School of Law 

Family: My wife Ashley is a physical therapist who owns Second Wind, PT. My children, son Bryden, 10, and daughter Dylan, 8, are sixth generation Flathead. 

Background: After law school, I spent over four years as a Deputy Flathead County Attorney, prosecuting everything from speeding to sexual abuse cases and homicides. I then spent 18 years in private practice defending those accused of crimes from speeding to homicide, while also doing civil litigation.  I have now spent just over a year and a half as Justice of the Peace.   

Why are you running for justice of the peace? 

"I am running because I believe I have much more to accomplish in this role. I closed my 18-year law practice because I believed the relationships I have built over 24 years with law enforcement and the legal community could help make Flathead County a safer place for my children and our community. After only 19 months on the bench, I know this is more work to do. I have already worked to improve accountability and address repeat offenses, while exploring programs, such as DUI court focused on treatment, rehabilitation, and reducing recidivism. I believe I can make a meaningful difference from the bench.  

What qualities do you have that make you the best candidate? 

I bring 24 years of courtroom experience to the role. I spent more than four years prosecuting cases as a Deputy Flathead County Attorney, handling matters ranging from traffic offenses to homicides. I then spent 18 years defending the constitutional rights of those charged with crime in our community. Experience on both sides of the courtroom gives me a unique perspective on the impact of crime and the importance of fairness and commitment to our community. I also understand how to talk to people and make them feel at ease in a climate that can be very stressful, while ensuring their rights are protected and they're held to the standards of the court.  

How would you improve the department? 

I hope to help establish a DUI court to reduce repeat DUI offenses. We are in early discussions with the Montana Department of Transportation about potential grant funding to launch the program while being responsible with taxpayer dollars. As a longtime business owner. I understand the importance of maximizing limited resources. My relationships with attorneys, law enforcement, prosecutors, defense attorneys and treatment providers can help build the cooperation necessary for success. No judge works alone, and I will continue supporting our court clerks, who keep our court running smoothly. As justice of the peace, I will also advocate for stronger penalties with legislative authority.  

Describe your judicial philosophy when it comes to sentencing. 

My sentencing philosophy is accountability balanced with fairness, public safety and rehabilitation. Sentences should hold offenders accountable for their actions, protect this community and recognize the potential for rehabilitation. After nearly 25 years of practicing law, I understand that cases are rarely simple or black and white. Every case requires consideration of the entire picture, including the nature of the offence, the impact on victims and the community, mental health, substance abuse and the offender's potential for rehabilitation. My goal is to impose lawful, proportionate consequences that protect our community, promote accountability and appropriately consider the individual circumstances of each case.  

How does space availability at the county detention center factor in your decision making? 

Jail capacity is a serious challenge, but it will never determine my judicial decisions. I will follow the law, consider the facts, examine the defendant's history and put public safety first. The detention center has 154 physical beds, but its safe operational capacity is lower because of medical, mental health, classification, separation and staffing requirements. When the jail reaches practical capacity, I will not simply release offenders without accountability. Where legally appropriate, I will sue proven alternatives such as GPS-monitored house arrest, 24/7 alcohol monitoring and ignition interlock devices. My standard is simple: protect the public, enforce accountability and apply the law fairly.  

Angela Ream 

Age: 45 

Occupation: Executive legal assistant/office manager 

Education: Flathead High School, Navy Nuclear Machinist Mate “A” School, Navy Nuclear Power School, various courses through Flathead Valley Community College 

Family: I’m married and have three adult children plus a son-in-law. 

Background: 20 years as a legal assistant managing cases involving criminal defense, protection orders, civil litigation, landlord-tenant disputes, personal injury, bankruptcies, and family law matters 

Why are you running for justice of the peace?  

I’m running because I care deeply about the safety and well-being of our community, and I know we can do better. Too many people have been affected by serious, repeat DUI offenses and PFMAs, particularly in the last five years. As a Navy veteran, mother and volunteer, my core values include responsibility, service and accountability. I believe the justice of the peace should serve the community, uphold constitutional rights and work diligently to make proactive improvements to our judicial system. The law is consistently changing; it’s imperative that we adapt with it, instead of maintaining an outdated status quo. 

What qualities do you have that make you the best candidate?  

I bring more than 20 years of legal experience, including work in two dozen courts across Montana. Throughout my career, I’ve worked with judges, attorneys, law enforcement, court staff and members of the public from every walk of life. My knowledge, attention to detail, professionalism, ability to listen and undeniable work ethic has garnered great respect from many. I’ve developed not only a comprehensive understanding of legal procedure, statutes and case law, but also practical insight of how court decisions affect individuals, families, victims and our community. Additionally, I’ll bring empathy, fairness, respect, sound judgment and accountability to Flathead County Justice Court. 

How would you improve the department?  

Implementing pretrial supervision can help defendants maintain accountability and connect with necessary resources, such as counseling, while their case is pending. This is particularly important due to defendants who need additional oversight being released because of space constraints at our jail. I also plan to institute misdemeanor probation to ensure that offenders are maintaining compliance with sentencing requirements. DUI Treatment Court and Domestic Violence Treatment Court are additional programs that we can use to reduce recidivism and improve outcomes. All of these programs have been shown to pay for themselves over time by reducing strain on courts and law enforcement. 

Describe your judicial philosophy when it comes to sentencing.  

My goal is not simply to punish people, but to reduce recidivism, protect victims, prevent future harm and increase public safety. As justice of the peace, I’ll use the tools provided by Montana law to hold offenders accountable while maximizing opportunities for rehabilitation through treatment, monitoring and oversight. Currently, misdemeanor offenders have no ongoing supervision or system to verify they remain law-abiding throughout their probationary sentence. I believe our community deserves a Justice Court that is fair, consistent and accountable, while also being proactive in providing meaningful programs and oversight designed to help offenders make better choices and reduce recidivism.

How does space availability at the county detention center factor in your decision making? 

Taking jail space availability into consideration will be incredibly important when setting bail as well as conditions of release. If space constraints necessitate someone being released, the judge can impose additional requirements, such as alcohol monitoring, drug patch monitoring and/or GPS monitoring. Additionally, when sentencing an offender, informal or formal house arrest are alternatives to incarceration when space restrictions remain prevalent. Additionally, implementing and utilizing pretrial supervision, misdemeanor probation, DUI Treatment Court and Domestic Violence Treatment Court are several ways to increase accountability when incarceration restrictions are a concern. The jail being full shouldn’t be an excuse to avoid accountability. 

    Flathead County Justice of the Peace Tim Wenz, 49, is running to retain his seat on the bench against challenger Angela Ream, 45, in the 2026 election. (Courtesy of Amanda Guy Photography)
  

    Candidate for Flathead County Justice of the Peace Angela Ream, 45, is challenging incumbent Tim Wenz, 49, in the 2026 election. (Courtesy)