23 March 2016

Four Flathead legislative candidates removed from the primary ballot

 Updated at 21:10:58 MDT.  Three Four Flathead legislative candidates were removed from the primary ballot today for failing to meet the deadline for filing required forms with Montana's commissioner of political practices. They are:

• Shawn Guymon, who filed as a Libertarian in House District 3 (Columbia Falls and north). Guymon's departure helps Republican Taylor Rose in his effort to unseat incumbent Democrat Rep. Zac Perry, who won by a plurality in 2014.


• Jack Kearns, who filed against teenager Chet Billi in the Republican primary in House District 5 (Whitefish), an open seat. Billi will face Democrat Dave Fern in the general election in November. The district leans Democratic.


• Laura Hartland, who filed against incumbent Republican Rep. Mark Noland in House District 10 (Bigfork). Update. Democrat George Dickenson also was removed, leaving Noland without opposition; not that any Democrat had a chance of winning this deep red district.

That leaves two contested primaries, both Republican, in the Flathead.

• In Senate District 3, which encompasses HD-5 and HD-6, Rep. Keith Regier is facing off against Whitefish automobile dealer Don “Don K” Kaltschmidt.


• And in House District 11, former Rep. Derek Skees is running against Jean K. Barragan. Skees, an increasingly polished campaigner, had his first organizational meeting last Thursday. Barragan has a long history in the area, but Skees is hungry, hard working, and has the edge.