Republicans still rule the roost in Flathead

By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News

The mood of Flathead County Republicans was decidedly glum Tuesday night, as Republican Sen. John McCain accepted defeat to Democrat Sen. Barack Obama in the presidential race.

But then local results came trickling in, and those frowns turned upside down in a hurry.

The Republican Party may be hurting across the country, but in Flathead County, it's still alive and very well.

Republican Jim Dupont defeated Democratic challenger Steve Qunell for the county commissioner, 27,696 to 14,028.

Dupont commended Qunell for a race well run.

"Steve Qunell worked hard and I appreciate what he did … (but) people want less government, not more, "Dupont said Tuesday.

Qunell was an underdog from the start and ran a platform that looked to preserve rural Flathead County. Dupont, the former and very popular sheriff in Flathead County for 16 years, said growth is coming no matter what, and it wasn't all entirely a bad thing. Growth equates to jobs, he noted.

In other races, Republican Ryan Zinke, a decorated war veteran and retired Navy SEAL, defeated Brittany MacLean 5,454 to 4,544 in a spirited campaign for the Senate District 2 seat. The district covers Columbia Falls, Whitefish and the Canyon.

"I'm pretty confident people see I'm a Montana first guy," Zinke said as the polls showed he was clearly ahead and was going to win.

Zinke could be the new face of the Republican Party in Flathead County. He ran on a platform as a green Republican " one who values the environment and land use issues, but also wants to keep taxes and government spending down.

In another local race of note, Republican Dee Brown defeated Democrat Mick Holm for the House District 3 seat, 2,616 to 1,965.

"I don't anticipate much change down (in Helena)," Brown said. "I'll keep plugging away."

Brown held the seat for six years, but was defeated by Democrat Doug Cordier in 2006. Cordier then decided not to run again. This will be Brown's last term.

In House District 5, Republican Keith Regier defeated Democrat Jake Pannell handily, 4,021 to 1,536. Pannell's campaign was weak at best, as he didn't have a listed phone number and his e-mail address and Web site didn't work either.

In Senate District 3, Republican farmer Bruce Tutvedt defeated Democrat Mark Holston 7,327 to 4,547.

Voters also defeated a $10 million open space land bond, 22,566 to 17,756 and a vote on a bond for a 911 call center was too close to call at presstime. With several thousand absentee ballots left to count, the $6.9 million bond was ahead by a slim margin, 20,237 to 20,031.

Here's how other races of county importance ended up:

• Senate District 6: Republican John Brueggeman def. Constitutional Party M. Neal Donohue, 719, 246.

• House District 4: Democrat Mike Jopek def. John Fuller, 2,919-2,427.

• House District 6: Republican Bill Beck def. Democrat Scott Wheeler and Constitutional Party Timothy Martin, 3,160, 2,674 and 316 respectively.

• House District 7: Jon Sonju def. Shannon Hanson, 2,917 to 1,343.

• House District 8: Too close to call, with Democrat Cheryl Steenson holding a slight edge of Republican Craig Witte 2,006 to 1,984.

• House District 9: Republican Scott Reichner, def Edd Blackler, 2,701 to 1,457.

• House District 10: Republican Mark Blasdel, def. Democrat Carla Augustad, 4,365 to 1,612.

• House District 11: Republican Janna Taylor def. Democrat Pat Estenson 750-287.

• President: In Flathead County voters picked Republican Sen. John McCain over Democrat Sen. Barack Obama, 25,361 to 15,976. Statewide McCain also won out over Obama, 235,045 to 218,748.

• U.S. Senator: Flathead voters re-elected Democrat Sen. Max Baucus over Republican Bob Kellehyer by 26,718 to 15,335. Statewide Baucus also won, 332,543 to 124,585.

• U.S. Representative: Republican Denny Rehberg def. Democrat John Driscoll, 29,560-10,898 in Flathead County. Statewide: Rehberg won, 298,168-147,119.

• Governor: Flathead County: Democrat Brian Schweitzer def. Republican Roy Brown, 24, 770-16, 952. Statewide: Schweitzer won, 304,108- 152,755.

• Secretary of State: Flathead County: Republican Brad Johnson beat out Democrat Linda McCulloch, 24,204-16,158. Statewide: McCulloch won, 223,611-221,431,

• Attorney General: Flathead County: Republican Tim Fox over Democrat Steve Bullock, 24,035-16,934. Statewide: Bullock defeated Fox, 233,421-212,855.

• State Auditor: Flathead: Republican Duane Grimes over Democrat Monica Lindeen, 23,314-16,887. Statewide: Lindeen def. Grimes, 236,141-207,701.

• State Superintendent of Public Instruction: Flathead: Republican Elaine Sollie Herman over Democrat Denise Juneau, 22,111-15,884. Statewide: Juneau def. Herman, 224,264 to 195,117.

• Supreme Court Chief Justice: Flathead: Mike McGrath over Ron Waterman, 27,578- 7,789. Statewide: McGrath def. Waterman, 308,571-101,914.

• Supreme Court Justice #3: Flathead County: Patricia Cotter earned 27,407 votes to remain in office. Statewide: 327,020 yes votes to 76,404 no votes.

• Constitional Amendment 44: Flathead: 30,545 votes against, 9,502 votes for. Statewide: Defeated: 325,748 to 113,401.

• Legislative Referendum 118: Flathead: 20,341 votes for, 20,049 votes against. Statewide: Passed, 252,184 to 195,909.

• Initiative 155: Flathead 25,736 votes for, 15,048 votes against. Statewide: Passed, 314,987-137,825.