Lovering is front runner in C-Falls election

Columbia Falls City Council candidate Jenny Lovering was the front-runner in official results from the Nov. 5 municipal election. There were five candidates for three seats on the city council.

A total of 518 ballots were cast by the 2,654 registered voters, with voter turn out at 19.52 percent.

Lovering garnered 381 votes or 27.53 percent. This was the high school teacher’s first run at a public office. She’s lived in Columbia Falls since 1998.

Coming in second with 315 votes or 22.6 percent of the vote was incumbent Mike Shepard, who is retired from the military and industry. This will be Shepard’s fifth term on the council. He has also served as the city’s representative on Flathead County’s Solid Waste Board and 911 Dispatch Board.

Coming in third with 288 votes or 20.81 percent was incumbent Dave Petersen, a retired marketing executive from the TV broadcast business who owns commercial property in downtown Whitefish. He’s been on the city council for six years.

Incumbent Shawn Bates will not be returning to the city council after serving one four-year term. He garnered 263 votes or 19 percent.

Challenger Duane Moore came in fifth place with 123 votes or 8.89 percent of the vote. There were 14 write-in ballots.

Incumbent Don Barnhart handily won the race for Columbia Falls mayor. He had no challenger and garnered 460 votes or 97.25 percent. There were 13 write-in ballots.