8 March 2018 — 1803 mst

Democrat Cossitt challenges incumbent Republican Garner in HD-7

Jim Cossitt, a Kalispell attorney, filed today for the Democratic primary for House District 7 (old downtown Kalispell; map). The district’s incumbent is Republican Frank Garner, a former Kalispell police chief who’s seeking a third term.

Gov. Steve Bullock carried HD-7 by a plurality in 2016. Rob Quist carried the district by a plurality in the May, 2017, special congressional election won by Republican Greg Gianforte.

The last Democrat to win the district was Cheryl Steenson, who beat incumbent Republican Craig Witte by 14 votes in 2008. Republican Steve Lavin won the district in 2010 and 2012, then ran and won in current HD-8 in 2014 and 2016.