Three incumbents for Jefferson County offices made it official Thursday that they will be seeking another term in office.
Clerk and Recorder/Assessor/Surveyor Bonnie Ramey, Sheriff/Coroner Craig Doolittle, and County Attorney/Public Administrator Steven Haddon each filed to be on the ballot to retain their offices this year.
Also filing for the ballot Thursday was attorney Steve Andersen, who filed to be Justice of the Peace.
Thursday was the first day of the filing season, which runs through March 12 at 5 p.m.
According to the Montana Secretary of State’s Office, 145 candidates filed with his office, a record number for a non-presidential election first day.
Among those early filers for legislative seats in areas including parts of Jefferson County: Ray Shaw, Sheridan Republican for House District 71; Jim Keane, Butte Democrat for HD 73; and Gregg Trude, Clancy Republican for HD 75.
Incumbent Fifth Judicial District Judge Luke Berger, appointed about a year ago to fill the unexpired term of retiring Judge Loren Tucker, was also among those filing to be on the ballot to extend his time on the bench.
The U.S. House race for the seat currently held by Republican Greg Gianforte attracted four Democratic filers on day one. John Heenan of Billings, Grant Kier of Helena, Lynda Moss of Billings and Kathleen Williams of Bozeman all threw their hats into the ring.
Filing to compete for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Democrat Jon Tester were two Republicans: Troy Downing of Bozeman and Albert Olszewski of Kalispell.
