Almost three weeks after the June 5 primary elections, Flathead County voters now know who will represent the Republican Party in the race for the Flathead County Commission District 3 seat.
A recount conducted on June 25 showed that Gary Krueger bested fellow GOP candidate Gerald “Jay” Scott, 3,662 to 3,639. The 23-vote difference is seven votes off from the initial count; before Scott requested the recount, Krueger had 3,665 and Scott had 3,635.
Krueger will move on to face Democrat candidate Clara Mears-LaChapelle, who ran unopposed in the primary elections.
“It’s really nice to be on top and be able to plan on moving on for the November election,” Krueger said the afternoon of the recount. “It’s time to say thank you to all my supporters and contributors and the voters and the people who allowed us to have signs on their property. Name recognition is very important in these types of races.”
“And thanks to Jay for a good campaign,” Krueger added.
The District 3 seat represents the western part of the county. Commissioner Dale Lauman currently holds the seat, but is not seeking re-election. Five GOP candidates ran for the seat in the primaries, and voters cast a total of 15,078 ballots in the race.
According to officials from the Flathead County Elections Department, the recount signals the end of a long primary election season, though they will begin gearing up for the general election soon.
Krueger said he would maintain a strong presence in the community throughout the summer, including appearances in upcoming parades and at the fair.
“I feel that the best thing I can go out to the public,” he said.