We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
Frank Billmayer was the first candidate in Blaine County to file for an office in the upcoming 2018 election. Filing opened at 8 am on January 11 and Billmayer filed paperwork as a Republican (R) candidate for Sheriff shortly after 8 am. Deputy Clerk and Recorder Laurie Rigg said four more candidates filed for county offices during opening day of filing. The filing period began on Thursday, January 11 and will remain open until 5 pm on March 12.
In Blaine County seven county-level officers are to be elected by voters. The seven elected offices to be filled in 2018 include a County Commissioner’s post (District 3), County Attorney, Superintendent of Schools, Clerk and Recorder/Assessor, Treasurer, Justice of the Peace and Sheriff.
Statewide there is one U.S. Senate seat open and the only U.S. House of Representative’s office is also open. Of the Montana legislature’s 50 Senate seats, 25 are to be filled and all 100 seats in the Montana House of Representatives are open. The primary election, to determine a winning candidate within each political party, will be held on June 5. The general election is scheduled for November 6.
First day filings for 2018 election
County Sheriff. Glen Huestis, the current Sheriff, has decided to retire when his term expires at the end of 2108. Frank Billmayer, who filed as a Republican for Sheriff, is the current Undersheriff in Blaine County. John Colby filed as a Democrat for Sheriff. Lt. Colby is presently a deputy with the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office.
County Clerk and Recorder/Assessor. Tammy Williams filed for the County Clerk and Recorder’s position as a Democrat. Williams was appointed to fill the vacancy created when incumbent Sandi Broadman resigned before completing her elected term that runs through the end of 2018. Williams was a Blaine County Deputy Clerk and Recorder before being appointed to fill the vacated position.
County Treasurer and County Attorney. Tori MacLean (D) is the current county treasurer. She filed to run for the position as a Democrat. She served as a Deputy Treasurer before being elected to the position for the first time in 2014. Kelsie Whitney Harwood filed as a Democrat for the County Attorney’s position. She was a Deputy County Attorney before her first election to the top post in 2014.
No opening day filings were made for any of the remaining open positions. County Commissioner (District 3), County Superintendent of Schools and Justice of the Peace are all currently held by incumbents. Charlie Kulbeck is District 3 County Commissioner and Perry Miller is the Justice of the Peace. Both were elected to their posts in prior elections. Val White is the County Superintendent of Schools, having been appointed to fill an unexpired term when Kelly Mills resigned the post.
