Kaercher announces run for Havre mayor

Staff and wire report

Havre Finance Director Doug Kaercher, a former Havre City Council member and former Hill County commissioner, has announced his candidacy for mayor of Havre.

"I want to put my three decades of experiences in the local government to work for the residents of Havre as Mayor," Kaercher said in a release announcing his candidacy. "My top priority is to use my experience to serve the citizens of Havre in an efficient and effective manner."

His release said Kaercher - pronounced "Care-Ker" - is a lifelong Havre resident where he and his wife, Darla, raised three daughters. Kaercher has worked in local government as a Havre City councilman from 1988-1993, before joining the Hill County Study Commission where he served as chairman. Kaercher also served as a Hill County Commissioner for a decade, from 1997-2007. He also served as National Association of Counties while a county commissioner. During this time, Kaercher lobbied the Montana Legislature and testified before the United States Senate.

In 2007, Kaercher was appointed by Gov. Brian Schweitzer as an administrative law judge to the State Tax Appeal Board.

He became the city of Havre's finance director in 2012, where he has worked to improve the city's technology and infrastructure.

He made a failed bid for the state Public Service Commission in 2018, losing to Randy Pinocci.

Kaercher has been involved in the community over the years in a number of volunteer capacities. He is a founding board member of the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line, helping meet the needs of chldren who need it most, his release said. He has also been an executive board member for Bear Paw Development Corp. for more than 24 years, was a board member and treasurer for the Montana Municipal Interlocal Authority and served as a member of the Montana Boards of Housing Board, as appointed by Gov. Steve Bullock.

"This is a community that has been very good to me and my family and I will strive to make Havre an even better place to live, raise a family and build a business," Kaercher said. "It would be an honor to serve this community as its next mayor."