Bullock will challenge Daines after all; local races set

Monday was the last day to file for elections.

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock made the biggest splash, as the Democrat filed to run for U.S. Senate against incumbent Republican Steve Daines.

The move was an about-face, as Bullock ran an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic nomination to challenge President Donald Trump. Bullock had said repeatedly he would not run for Senate, even after dropping out of the presidential bid.

In local politics, there’s a three-way race for Senate District 2 on the Republican side. Paul J. Longfield, Norm Nunally and Carl Glimm will square off in the June primary.

Incumbent Dee Brown of Hungry Horse is term limited out.

Democrat Kyle Waterman, a Kalispell city councilman who works in Columbia Falls, will be their opponent on the general ballot.

Waterman works at World Spice Merchants, an online culinary spice retailer off Highway 2 south of town.

“My current work has also exposed me to state issues that affect small manufacturers. I would also like to see legislative work done to address issues of high-speed Internet access, licensing and taxation. The state needs to work for families, entrepreneurs and small businesses,” Waterman said in his announcement letter.

In House District 3, there will be a primary between Democrats.

North Forker Debo Powers will square off against Garrett Henson of Columbia Falls. The winner will face Republican Braxton Mitchell of Columbia Falls.

Powers is the incumbent. She was nominated by the party and chosen by Flathead County Commissioners to replace Zac Perry, who resigned to further pursue his education.

Both Senate District 2 and House District 3 cover Columbia Falls and the Canyon in the state Legislature.

In the county commissioner race, to replace Republican Phil Mitchell, Brad Abell, a heavy equipment operator for Weyerhaeuser, threw his name in the ring for the Republican nomination. He will take on Elliot Adams and Tony Brockman in the primary.

Kristen Larson, co-owner of Glacier Lanes in Columbia Falls, will run unopposed for the Democratic nomination.