Fern wins in House District 5 race

Democrat Dave Fern beat out challenger Republican Catherine Owens in Tuesday’s election to once again be selected by voters to represent House District 5 in the state Legislature.

Fern earned 4,473 votes, while Owens tallied 2,973.

When he heads to Helena next year, it will be Fern’s third term serving in the Montana House of Representatives.

Fern was the sole Democrat in Flathead County to win in Tuesday’s election.

Voter turnout in the county was more than 81% with more than 60,000 ballots cast.

In the race for Senate District 3, incumbent Republican Keith Regier beat out newcomer Democrat Guthrie Quist. Regier earned 8,316 votes, while Quist got 6,577 votes.

Regier began his tenure in state politics in 2008 when he was originally elected to the Montana House representing House District 5.

In the race for Flathead County Commissioner District 1, Republican Brad Abell won the race over Democrat Kristen Larson. Abell earned 38,226 votes to Larson’s 20,246.

Voters approved, by 31,091 to 26,821, a measure that creates a special tax district to fund the Flathead Emergency 911 Communication Center. The district would raise just over $3.5 million annually to fund the center and eliminates the old funding system that had cities paying the county.

In statewide races, Republican Greg Gianforte won the governor’s race over Democrat Mike Cooney, incumbent Republican Steve Daines earned re-election over Democrat Gov. Steve Bullock and Republican Matt Rosendale beat out Democrat Kathleen Williams.

For full election results from Flathead County, visit https://flathead.mt.gov/election/EL45.2.HTM.