Berget wins GOP nomination

Libby Mayor Tony Berget won a six-way race by 42 votes to win the Republican nomination for Lincoln County Commissioner during Tuesday’s primary.

“Lincoln County was lucky to have six outstanding candidates for county commissioner, and it’s a real honor that I was chosen among them,” Berget said Wednesday.

He received 765 votes followed by Jerry Okonski with 723, Don Cox with 521, Mike Munro with 382, Lee Disney with 354 and Dennis Souther with 114.

Because no Democrat filed for county commissioner, Berget during the Nov. 4 election will likely win the 6-year seat currently held by Rita Windom. Windom is retiring after 12 years in office.

It is possible that a former candidate or another resident could begin a write-in campaign as an Independent to upend the election.

Berget will be required to step down as mayor in January. Libby City Council will then appoint a mayor.

“I’m looking forward to helping him with the transition so he will have a good grasp of what the job entails,” Windom said. “He’ll do a good job.”

Okonski also provided The Western News with a comment.

“Solving Lincoln County’s problems will require innovative solutions and the cooperation of all interested citizens-not partisan politics,” Okonski said in a Wednesday news release. “My commitment to Lincoln County remains unchanged. I am exploring many options as to how I can be a catalyst for change. I invite all to approach me with their constructive ideas, through my Web site, www.jerryo.org , by phone or face to face.”

Results were not final until 4 a.m. on Wednesday, according to Lincoln County Clerk Tammi Lauer.