Barron seeks third term on commission

Last Thursday was opening day of candidate filing for the 2020 Montana elections, and it was dominated by local Republican candidates.

Republican Bill Barron was quick to decide that he’ll seek a third term on the Lake County board of commissioners. Barron represents District 1 on the three-person board.

Barron had a 30-year career in law enforcement and previously served as Lake County sheriff for two terms before being elected county commissioner.

He told the Leader that he always intended to run for re-election in 2020, so long as his health permitted it. Barron, 67, said he feels great.

“I love what I’m doing and I think I’m making a difference,” Barron said.

“I have as much fire as the first time I filed [for election].”

He said Lake County faces a plethora of big issues that he’d like to keep working on, including the controversial water rights compact recently proposed by U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, a long-discussed jail expansion, Public Law 280, and a lawsuit with the Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribes.

“The county is in some of the most important times of its life,” Barron said. “The next few years will be very telling for the future ... I want to see it through.”

Lake County commissioners serve six-year terms. Although each commissioner represents one districts, all voters in the county elect the commissioners.

Also in Lake County, incumbent Lyn Fricker filed as a Republican to serve another term as clerk of District Court.

In state Legislature filings, political veteran Sen. Dan Salomon, R-Ronan, is running for a third term in District 47. He represented House District 12 for three terms from 2011-2015 before moving to the Senate.

Thompson Falls resident Bob Brown filed as a Republican for the senate seat in District 7. Brown is another familiar face at the Capitol, having served three terms representing House District 13.

Neither Salomon nor Brown has yet to field a challenger.

In the Montana House races, Polson resident Linda Reksten filed as a Republican in District 12, while Thompson Falls resident Paul Fielder is running as a Republican in District 13.

Incumbent Republican Rep. Denley Loge, R-St. Regis, is seeking a third term representing House District 14, and incumbent Republican Rep. Joe Read filed for another term in Ronan’s District 93. Read represented District 15 in the 2011 legislative session.

In non-legislative races, Polson resident Dan Anciaux filed for District Court judge in District 20, Department 1. That is a non-partisan election.

The deadline for candidates to file for office is March 9. The primary election takes place June 2 with the general election Nov. 3.