Flathead County Republicans faced unexpected losses in Kalispell’s 2025 municipal elections, prompting urgent action. Known for its strong Republican presence, this northwest Montana community holds significant influence in state politics, trailing only Yellowstone County in Republican votes. Yet, the November 2025 elections saw a surprising shift with liberal candidates winning the mayor’s race and three out of eight City Commission seats.
Flathead Valley, home to key Republican figures like Montana Senate President Matt Regier and GOP Chair Art Wittich, saw upheaval as frustrated Republicans took charge. On March 4, coinciding with the candidate filing deadline, 48 Republican precinct seats were claimed by the business community. These positions are crucial as they elect county and state party leadership. Many precinct seats usually remain vacant, but this strategic move ensured uncontested elections for their candidates by filing at the last minute.
“What we’re seeing is a grassroots reaction to what happened in November,” said Kisa Davison, a Republican businesswoman who ran in the mayoral race against liberal candidate Ryan Hunter. Disappointed by the lack of party support, Davison and others decided to act. She is now set to become committeewoman for Precinct 27, while her husband, Travis, will be the committeeman. Official seating occurs after primary election results on June 2.
Though most filers run unopposed, competition exists in Precinct 5 (Whitefish). Giuseppe “GMan” Caltabiano challenges Wittich for committeeman, while Roxanne Ross contests Candace Wittich’s position. Caltabiano, a Whitefish City Council member and local business owner, initially entered politics to address civic issues. Now, he aims to address perceived shortcomings within the local Republican Party.
Local businesses like Corinne Kuntz’s daycare face challenges due to unclear municipal regulations in Kalispell. Kuntz criticizes the party’s silence on conservative candidates and decided to run for Precinct 42 committeewoman to ensure local decision-makers understand community impacts. She emphasizes the need for transparency and better support for business-friendly policies.
Amidst growing discontent, the local Republican Party’s vetting committee hesitated to endorse Davison, citing insufficient experience. Instead, they considered Sid Daoud, a former Libertarian Party chair. Al Olszewski, Flathead County Republican Party Chair, explained the nonpartisan nature of the mayoral race complicates endorsements. The party eventually recommended Davison, providing limited campaign materials.
This issue highlights a broader debate over endorsements in nonpartisan elections. While the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed parties’ rights to endorse candidates, nonpartisan race candidates cannot declare party affiliation. This policy sprung from a case involving Mark French, a Justice of the Peace candidate in neighboring Sanders County, underlining the complex legal landscape of political endorsements.
“`
—
Read More Montana News
