A closer look at how the vote went in Columbia Falls precincts
Lyn Bennett at Congressman Ryan Zinke's gathering on election night.
While most of Flathead County is solidly red, Democrats did make some inroads locally, as Dave Fern, a Democrat, won the new Senate District 2 over Republican Doug Adams, 6,722-6,093, and North Forker Democrat Debo Powers won the new House District 3 race over Republican Cathy Mitchell, 3,494-3,247.
In the new House District 5, incumbent Braxton Mitchell, who used to represent House District 3 (Columbia Falls and the Canyon) easily beat Martin City Democrat Steve Paugh, 4,614-1,636.
House District 5 now covers the east side of rural Columbia Falls and much of the Canyon.
The City of Columbia Falls (precincts 9 and 10) is now split in representation, as House District 4, which covers Columbia Falls and Whitefish, was won by newcomer Republican Lyn Bennett over Democrat Lindsey Jordan, 3,094-2,854.
It’s interesting to see how Columbia Falls city residents voted, as precinct 9, which is the south side of the city, runs a bit more Republican than precinct 10, which is the north side of the city.
Montana Sen. Jon Tester, for example, beat Republican challenger Tim Sheehy 553-531 in precinct 10, but he lost to Sheehy in nine, 906-764.
Precinct 10 voters split the ticket, as they voted for incumbent Congressman Republican Ryan Zinke, 603-466, while Zinke won nine handily over Democrat Monica Tranel, 960-690.
Adams won precinct nine 981-681 over Fern, but in precinct 10, it was much closer, as Adams won 599-478.
Fern beat Adams handily in precinct 12, 988-378, which is most of the city of Whitefish. Both candidates live in Whitefish.
Zooming back into Columbia Falls, in the Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice race, another interesting result.
Cory Swanson beat Jeremiah Lynch 806-718 in precinct nine, but the margin was just a handful of votes in 10, at 519-495.
In the Supreme Court Justice No. 3 race, Dan Wilson won in nine by 784-753 over Katherine Bidegaray, but he lost in ten, 541-479.
When it came to the abortion initiative, CI-128, Columbia Falls voters supported it, 947-748 in nine and 690-406 in 10.