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Last-minute flood of candidates for state, local contests

Political candidate filings continued hot and heavy on the closing day to file, bringing hotly contested elections in all levels of government. "A record number of candidates filed to run for the Legislature, a record number of folks filed on opening day and a record number of candidates filed on closing day," Secretary of State Linda McCulloch said after filings closed Monday. "These record turnouts bode well for an exciting election season." Two more candidates filed in the race for Montana's sole seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, bringing the total number of candidates to eight in three parties. Frequent Libertarian candidate Mike Fellows of Missoula, the only candidate in the race from that party, and Billings Democrat Sam Rankin filed Monday. Rankin will face Dennis McDonald of Melville and Tyler Gernant and Melinda Gopher, both of Missoula, in the Democratic primary June 8. Incumbent Denny Rehberg will face A.J. Otjen of Laurel and Mike French of Paradise in the Republican primary. Another Havre Democrat also entered the race to challenge incumbent Rep. Wendy Warburton, R-Havre, in the race for House District 34 in northern Hill and Blaine counties. David Brewer will face Dana Sapp Seidel in the Democratic primary in that district. Longtime legislator Edward "Ed" Butcher of Winifred will face another Republican in the primary for House District 29, which includes eastern Chouteau County. Ryan Osmundson of Buffalo filed as a Republican in that race Monday. The winner of that primary will face Democrat Kurt Myllymaki of Stanford in the general election in November. And Rep. Roy Hollandsworth, R-Brady, gained an opponent , Libertiarian Dan Huffman of Carter, in the general election for House District 28, which includes Liberty, western Chouteau and eastern Toole counties. On the Hill County level, two new candidates filed for Hill County superintendent of schools, including incumbent Shirley Isbell. Marci Vosen Bergren also filed Monday, and the two will face Gary Pfister, who filed previously, in the Democratic primary. No Republicans filed in that race. Another Democrat also filed Monday in the race for Hill County treasurer and assessor. Sandy Brown will face incumbent Carrie Dickson in the primary, with the winner of that election facing Republican William "Bill" Gupton in the general election.

 

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