Candidates file for upcoming municipal elections
St. Ignatius will see all the action during the municipal elections this fall, with the township holding the only contested races in the Mission Valley.
Following the filing deadline on June 19, four people have declared their candidacy for mayor, while five others are vying for two available seats on the town council.
In Polson and Ronan, meanwhile, candidates seeking similar offices are running unopposed with races in some wards drawing no interest altogether.
Despite the passive participation, local governments are poised to include plenty of new faces, particularly in Polson where no incumbents filed to retain their positions.
Polson High School Teacher Paul Briney is running unopposed to replace current Mayor Heather Knutson, whose term expires at the end of 2017. Robert “Bob” Martin and Brodie Moll are seeking positions on the City Commission, representing Wards 2 and 3 respectively. No candidates filed for the open seat from Ward 1.
Lake County Election Administrator Kathie Newgard said municipal lawmakers have the authority to appoint members to fill positions left vacant after an election.
Such a situation could apply in Ronan as well, where no candidates entered the race for Ward 2.
Incumbent Mayor Kim Aipperspach and Councilwoman Marlene Melton are running again uncontested, however Noel Lance Hames was the lone bidder for the open council position representing Ward 1.
On a crowded ballot in St. Ignatius, current Town Councilman Daren Incashola is looking to make the move to mayor, a race in which he will face Steve McCollum, Willy Long and Daniel Thompson.
Roger D. Lemon is the lone incumbent looking to retain one of two available seats on the town council. Ralph Foster, Annie Morigeau, Chris Heffern and C. Douglas Morigeau have also thrown their hats into the race. Sharon Richardson is running unopposed to retain her position as city judge.
Lake County election officials said the municipalities can request to hold a primary election in September but are not required to do so by state law due to the small number of candidates and lack of contested races.
The municipal general election will take place on Nov. 7.