Jergeson again takes a seat in state Senate

Havre Daily News/Lindsay Brown

Greg Jergeson waits for election results to trickle in Tuesday night at the Eagles Club.

After more than ten years out of the legislative body, Democrat Greg Jergeson is going back to the Montana Senate.

Jergeson, of Chinook, defeated Harlem insurance agent Don Richman, Republican, 3,858 to 3,287.

The seat is a gain back for Democrats, who traditionally were in control of both Hill and Blaine counties. Republican Rowlie Hutton of Havre won the race in 2010, only to announce during the 2011 session he was resigning and moving to Nebraska.

Havre businessman Craig Tilleman was appointed as his replacement, but then withdrew his nomination as a candidate for this year's election before the primary, leaving Richman unopposed in that election.

In Tuesday's general election, the numbers were flip-flopped in the district for Hill and Blaine counties. Senate District 17 comprises House Districts 33 and 34, including western Hill County and the northern parts of both counties.

Richman won two of the four precincts in the district in Blaine County, for a total of 756 to Jergeson's 634.

In Hill County, Jergeson won 12 of 15 precincts for a county total of 3,224 to Richman's 2,531.

The percentage split for both counties was Jergeson with 54 percent and Richman 46 percent.