Election a squeaker

Oh so close!

Democrat Joe Brenneman has apparently won the race for Flathead County county commissioner, edging Republican Denise Cofer by 137 votes. Unofficially, Brenneman received 18,656 votes to Cofer's 18,519 votes.

The election becomes official when the ballots are canvassed, which will take place Monday afternoon, said

Another race everyone was watching was Senate District 2, which includes Columbia Falls and Whitefish.

In that race, Democrat Dan Weinberg appears to be the winner, beating Republican Donna Maddux. Weinberg got 4,439 votes, Maddox got 4,353 votes.

"Bob DePratu called me 10 minutes ago and congratulated me. I'm proud of our campaign and we worked very hard. I'm looking forward to working with Brian (Schweitzer) and Mike (Jopek)," he said.

DePratu is the former senator for that district. He term-limited out. Democrat Schweitzer won the governor's race, beating Republican Bob Brown. Democrat Mike Jopek won the House District 4 race, beating Republican Bill Beck in Whitefish, 2,597 to 2,149.

Other races weren't quite as close.

€ House District 3, Incumbent Republican candidate Dee Brown defeated Linda Jacquette, 2,513 to 1,474.

€ House District 5, Republican George Everett defeated challenger Sam Nichol, 3,390 to 1,571.

€ Senate District 3, Republican Jerry O'Neil defeated Democrat Vince Woodhouse, 7,025 to 3,014.

€ House District 6, Verdell Jackson defeated Democrat Shannon Hanson, 3,257 to 1,776.

Voter turnout was extremely high at 86.65 percent.

The county also sided with the rest of the state on several initiatives and referendums.

The majority voted against I-147, an attempt to reinstate cyanide heap leach mining; they voted for medical marijuana use; against longer term limits; for a bond fund for weed control; against gay marriage; and for an initiative that supports hunting.

The Whitefish resort tax extension also passed.

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