Abell wins county commissioner race; Mitchell HD3

Republican Brad Abell easily won the District 1 Flathead County commissioner race in Tuesday night’s election, 38,226-20,246, over Democrat Kristen Larson as results were completed about 3 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Braxton Mitchell also defeated incumbent Democrat Debo Powers in the House District 3 race in Tuesday night’s election, 3,578-2,387.

Powers was appointed to the post last year after Democrat Zac Perry resigned to pursue his education.

In the Senate District 2 race, Republican Carl Glimm of Kila beat Democrat Kyle Waterman of Kalispell, 8,740 to 4,057.

For the first time in decades, the district, which covers Columbia Falls and surrounding areas, including the Canyon, will be represented by someone who doesn’t actually live in the district.

Waterman didn’t live here, either. He lives in Kalispell and is a city councilman.

In other local results of importance, the 911 levy passed, 31,091-26,821.

The new levy will do away with the old system, which, in effect, charged residents who lived in the cities twice for 911 service.

The election results locally followed the trend statewide, as Republicans won major state races. Greg Gianforte won the governor’s race over Democrat Mike Cooney, incumbent Steve Daines retained his Senate seat over Democrat Gov. Steve Bullock and Republican Matt Rosendale defeated Democrat Kathleen Williams.

Note: This story reflects updated numbers, as the county posted the wrong file on Tuesday morning on its website.

For updated complete local election results, go to: https://flathead.mt.gov/election/