Hyatt drops out of commissioner election

Two candidates have dropped out of a crowded local election field.

Chris Hyatt, of Whitefish, said Thursday he was dropping out of the Flathead County Commissioner race. He was one of eight Republicans seeking a two-year term to fill Jim Dupont’s chair in District 1. Dupont died in March.

Hyatt, who is a current Whitefish City councilor, said he withdrew when it became clear he wouldn’t have the time to devote to the full-time position as commissioner. Hyatt cited demands as a business consultant and obligations to his family and the city council.

“Due to my current family and professional obligations, I am unable at this time to do justice to the full-time nature of the county commissioner’s work,” Hyatt said in a prepared statement. “I am happy to see such fine candidates in the commissioner’s race and look forward to working with whomever wins to ensure that the county and the city of Whitefish keep open lines of communication. I will continue to serve the people of Whitefish as a councilor for our community.”   

According to the county election department, Hyatt’s name will continue to appear on the June 5 ballot, but any votes cast for him will not be tabulated.

On Wednesday, Republican Senate District 3 candidate Jayson Peters, of Kalispell, announced he’s withdrawing from the three-way primary race.

“I entered the Republican primary race against incumbent Bruce Tutvedt for Senate because I believe (the district) deserved a more conservative choice,” Peters said in a press release. “Unfortunately, this Senate race attracted two conservative challengers to incumbent Sen. Tutvedt. I am reluctantly withdrawing my name from the race as a three-way primary will only split the votes.”

That leaves Tutvedt, of Kalispell, and Republican challenger Rollan Roberts II, of Whitefish, for the June 5 primary election. The winner will face Democrat Shannon Hanson, of Whitefish, in the November general election.

Peters said he is not endorsing either Tutvedt or Roberts.