Unless write-in candidates crop up, incumbent Jefferson County Commissioner Bob Mullen is the only current county officeholder who will face a challenge this year. David Murray filed to be on the ballot, hoping to unseat Mullen from his District 3 seat representing northern Jefferson County.
Officeholders in other county offices on this year’s ballot, all of who were unopposed by the 5 p.m. filing deadline Monday, include Clerk and Recorder Bonnie Ramey, Sheriff Craig Doolittle, County Attorney Steven Haddon, Superintendent of Schools Anika McCauley and Treasurer Terri Kunz.
Justice of the Peace Dennis Giulio has said he intends to retire at the end of his current term after roughly three decades on the bench. Vying to replace him are four candidates: Montana City attorney Steve Andersen; Deputy Sheriff Dean Hildebrand; Whitehall resident Larry Skogen; and Whitehall business owner Kevin Brunet.
In legislative races, two Democrats and two Republicans had filed by the Monitor noon deadline for House District 75, which represents most of Jefferson County. That seat is currently held by Kirk Wagoner, who had not filed for re-election.
Running for that seat will be Democrats Joseph Calnan of Montana City and Bryher Herak of Basin plus Republicans Greg DeVries of Jefferson City and Gregg Trude of Clancy.
Also on the ballot this year is the Fifth Judicial District Judge position currently held by Luke Berger. He has filed for election to the seat after he was appointed to complete the unexpired term of Loren Tucker, who retired. As of Monday noon no one had filed to oppose Berger.
Voters will also be deciding on Congressional races. Both Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat, and Rep. Greg Gianforte, a Republican, face a long list of opponents from the opposite party along with candidates from the Libertarian party and Green party.
