2007 Montana Municipal Elections Recap

Conservation played prominently in several city commission and city council races across Montana, resulting in pick up seats for the environment. Montana Conservation Voters helped elect 3 of its 5 top priority candidates (Gaghen, Billings Ward 1; Friel, Whitefish City Council; Muhlfeld, Whitefish City Council), and all 7 of its 2nd priority races. Two priority race losses: - the lone City Commission seat in Bozeman, which was captured by a developer-backed candidate; and the Whitefish mayor’s seat, which will now be held by a popular, moderate former mayor.

For the first time, all-mailed ballots were used in several city and town races, including Billings, Bozeman, Helena, Missoula, and Whitefish. This resulted in high turnouts, exceeding 50 percent in these often-ignored elections.

BILLINGS
The balance of power for conservation tipped slightly greener, with the election of all three MCV endorsed candidates.

• Ward 1: MCV-endorsed incumbent Peggie Gaghen beat Kurt Zygmond 1,883 to 863 (67.27% - 30.83%) with 53 write-ins . Zygmond was an anti-conservation candidate who had been deposed as chairperson from the North Park Task Force. MCV conducted a door-to-door canvass, made persuasion calls once ballots hit voters’ boxes, and conducted a get out the vote calling program.
• Ward 3: Vince Ruegamer, incumbent, beat challenger Mark Elison by 12 votes, 1,757 - 1,745. MCV co-endorsed both candidates in this race and looks forward to working with Vince Ruegamer.
• Ward 4: MCV-endorsed candidate Jani McCall won big in this open seat, which had been held by a moderate, making the council more conservation-friendly. Results were McCall 4,137 (61.79%); Fishbaugh 1,319 (19.7%); and Larson 1,188 (17.74%).

BOZEMAN
The Bozeman City Commission’s conservation majority is reduced from 4 – 1 to 3 – 2, while relationships with the incoming mayor have been forged as a result of MCV’s support of his election.

• City Commission: MCV-endorsed candidate Betty Stroock lost her Bozeman City Commission race to developer-backed candidate Eric Bryson 2,538 to 4,217 (62% - 38%).  She had won the September 11th primary with over 50% of the vote. 
• Mayor: MCV-endorsed candidate Jeff Krauss, who currently sits on the Commission, had no opposition and won his race.

WHITEFISH
The City Council continues to a conservation majority, thanks to the re-election of John Muhlfeld and the election of Ryan Friel. But the strong leadership of a conservation champ as mayor was lost with the defeat of MCV-backed Cris Coughlin, reducing reliable conservation votes from 5-1 to 4-2.  Despite the loss of Coughlin, Jenson, the new mayor, is someone with whom conservationists can work.

• Mayor: Michael Jenson (former mayor) garnered 887 votes (55%) and defeated MCV-endorsed Cris Coughlin (acting mayor) 651 votes (40%).
• Nick Palmer 78 votes (5%)  Palmer stays on the council. 

City Council: (top three elected)

1. MCV-endorsed candidate John Muhlfeld (incumbent) won 1,001 votes (23.4%);
2. MCV-endorsed candidate Ryan Friel 874 votes (20.4%);
3. The council chose former city-county planning board chairman Martin McGrew over former councilor Turner Askew in an open vote because the two candidates ended up in a tie after two recounts.
4. John Murdock 469 votes (11%)
5. Kent Taylor 468 votes (10.9%)
6. Mark McGlenn 212 votes (5%)

KALISPELL
MCV strengthened its relationship with the incumbents, both of whom were endorsed and re-elected.

• Ward 3: MCV-endorsed incumbent Randy Kenyon (incumbent) 172 votes (70%), Richard Hull 93 votes (30%)
• Ward 4: MCV-endorsed incumbent Duane Larson (incumbent) 199 votes (67.5%), Clint Cathcart 95 votes (32%)

LIVINGSTON
Both MCV-endorsed candidates won their races, resulting in a pick up of another seat for the environment, making all 5 City Commissioners conservation-minded. The top two vote getters are the victors. MCV member Rick VanAken, appointed to the City Commission in January, was top vote getter with 962 votes. MCV-endorsed and first-time candidate Juliann Jones took 706 votes. Incumbent Patricia Grabow had 525 votes.

And in other Montana cities:

• In the Missoula City Commission race, a progressive picked up a seat in Ward 2 - Pam Walzer defeated Don Nicholson, tipping the balance of power on the Commission towards conservation 7 – 5.  MCV launches its Missoula county chapter on November 15th.  The Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund did a get out the vote mailer here. Forward Montana and other Missoula activists deserve kudos for great voter outreach in Ward 2.
• In Helena, environmental champ Matt Elsaesser was the top vote getter with 4,430 votes, followed by incumbent Paul Cartwright (41,55). Two seats were open.  Those not winning were Bob Throssell (3,236), who had been appointed to fill a vacancy earlier, and Jack Stults (2,886 votes). 
• Helena voters passed a $7.85 million parks bond 5,920-2389 (71% - 29%).
• In Red Lodge, City Council member Betsy Scanlon (and an MCV member) won her race for mayor with 302 votes, to Brian Roat’s 218 and Tera Reynold’s 205 votes.  

Montana Conservation Voters conducted a door to door canvass and hundreds of phone calls to voters once they received their ballots in the mail, with a major get out the vote calling campaign right before the November 6th election to those who hadn’t turned in their ballots.  Similar efforts were launched in Bozeman and Whitefish, where voters also received mailers and saw a vigorous earned media and letter to the editor campaign.  Approximately 65 MCV members from around the state took part in these election activities on behalf of the environment. 

Thanks to the many great conservation candidates who will lead our communities, and to MCV members, Board and staff and hundreds of financial supporters for elevating the importance of the environment in city council and commission races.
 

City commissioners levy taxes, appoint citizens to advisory boards, adopt budgets and make important decisions that affect all residents.

If the old saying "all politics is local" rings true, than this is where backyard conservation issues play out. 

Often service at the city commission level is a proving ground for further civil service, and a springboard to other elected office. 

2007 MUNICIPAL ELECTION CALENDER
Absentee Application Available: June 28 - noon, Sep. 10
Absentee Ballots Available: August 22
Municipal Primary Election: September 11

Absentee Application Available: Aug. 23 - noon, Nov. 5
Absentee Ballots Available: October 17
Municipal General Election: November 6

NOTE:  Current Montana law allows you to register to vote up to and on the day of the election at the County Election Office.