For the first time in 16 years, this fall Columbia Falls will have a contested mayoral race, while Kalispell’s incumbent mayor will run unopposed yet again.
The deadline to file for the Nov. 7 municipal elections passed June 19 with multiple candidates emerging in nearly every race.
In Columbia Falls, incumbent mayor Don Barnhart will face challenger John Rallis. It will be the town’s first contested mayoral race since 2001, when Gary Hall and Claudette Hohn squared off.
Incumbent city councilors Mike Shepard and Jennifer Lovering filed for re-election alongside challengers Stephen Duffy and Paula Robinson. Incumbent councilor Dave Petersen, whose term is expiring, did not file for re-election. The top three vote-getters in the council race will be elected to four-year terms.
The Columbia Falls City Council features six councilors and the mayor, who serve as the legislative body, while the city manager oversees daily operations.
In Kalispell, incumbent Mayor Mark Johnson ran unopposed for the second time in as many elections.
Incumbent councilors Sandra Carlson, in Ward 1, and Chad Graham, in Ward 2, are running unopposed.
Ward 3 features three candidates: incumbent Jim Atkinson, Kyle Waterman and Karlene Osorio-Khor. The top vote-getter will be elected to the ward seat.
Ward 4 features three candidates: incumbent Tim Kluesner, Sid Daoud and Paige Rappleye. The top vote-getter will be elected to the ward seat.
The Kalispell council is composed of eight councilors and the mayor. The city is divided into four wards with two councilors serving from each ward. Click here for a ward map. The council serves as the city’s primary legislative body with an appointed city manager who works as the chief administrative officer.
Kalispell municipal judge Lori Adams is running unopposed.
In Whitefish, four council candidates are vying for three seats: incumbents Andy Feury and Pam Barberis and challengers Ryan Gregory Hennen and Melissa Hartman. Incumbent Jen Frandsen did not file for re-election.
The top three vote-getters will be elected to four-year terms.
Whitefish’s city government encompasses six councilors and the mayor serving as the legislative body and an appointed city manager who oversees daily operations.
Three candidates are running for Whitefish’s municipal court judge position: William Hileman, Kristi Curtis and Thomas Tornow. Municipal Judge Bradley Johnson is retiring.
Absentee ballots will be mailed Oct. 18. Election Day is Nov. 7.