Good afternoon northwest Montana! Though many have their election night traditions, often respectfully involving late-night frozen pizza, I have to say I might have discovered a new favorite last night – falling asleep early for a full night’s rest and studying the results over a cup of coffee. (Someone’s got to change the narrative around journalists’ lack of self-care.)
That being said, I’d be remiss if I didn’t commend those who slept little in order to ensure the rest of us could wake up informed. Thanks Beacon crew.
(ICYMI: Missoula smokejumper and union leader Sam Forstag will be the first Democrat Montana has sent to the U.S. House in three decades; Republican and former U.S. attorney Kurt Alme easily won the U.S. Senate seat; and the state passed a trio of ballot issues enshrining nonpartisan judicial elections, placing guardrails on government interference in the referendum process and removing dark money from Montana’s elections. Stay tuned as continued coverage comes out over the coming days.)
Taking a slight side step away from election attention, Zoë Buhrmaster here with Kalispell City Council’s decision this week to eat the costs associated with President Donald Trump’s Flathead Valley visit last month.
The Oct. 14 presidential trip to Majestic Valley Arena – an effort to garner support for Republican congressional candidate Aaron Flint, who lost to Forstag last night – cost the city just under $46,000. The visit also cost Flathead County about $58,000, primarily in overtime wages for Flathead County Sheriff’s Office personnel. The county is not pursuing federal reimbursement.
Kalispell staff put in roughly 500 hours with 44 personnel, most of which included staff overtime City Manager Jarod Nygren said. Kalispell Fire Department oversaw Evergreen while Evergreen Fire Rescue covered the airport, in line with existing mutual-aid agreements.
“I will say that the budget, given the event, is fine,” Nygren said. “The $46,000 is spread out through numerous city funds in both police and fire, and the funds will be sufficient to cover those costs moving forward.”
Councilors referred to the presidential visit as a training opportunity for law enforcement and said officials were protecting local citizens in addition to the president. Councilors also noted the Trump administration has yet to reimburse other communities that have billed it for similar campaign stops. They suggested creating a billing form to use for future large-scale events.
“What an educational experience, and they’re protecting us as well,” Councilor Jed Fisher said. “If the pope came to town, would we bill the pope for security, and would we bill the Vatican?”
Councilors Wes Walker and Sid Daoud were the only councilors in support of Mayor Ryan Hunter’s proposal to send the Trump administration a bill. Walker and Hunter said while they believed a bill would likely not receive reimbursement they did not like the use of public funds for a political campaign event.
Democrat Sam Forstag Wins Montana’s Western U.S. House Race
The Missoula smokejumper and union leader is the first Democrat Montanans have sent to the U.S. House in three decades; Republican Aaron Flint conceded around midnight
Two of the measures amended the state’s Constitution, enshrining nonpartisan judicial elections and placing guardrails on government interference in the referendum process. A third creates a new law, and aims to remove dark money from Montana’s elections.
At Kalispell Rally, Trump Urges Montanans to ‘Get Out and Vote’
The president’s first Kalispell visit, and the first by a sitting president since 1975, was aimed at boosting Republican congressional candidate Aaron Flint, who is locked in a dead heat with Democrat Sam Forstag
Whether you’ve been here for decades or you’re new to the Flathead Valley, our reporting is here to help you feel smarter and in the loop about the issues most important to Northwest Montana. With your support, we can build a more engaged, informed community.
