Newcomers aplenty in Libby mayoral, city council races
Libby residents will have to choose from a slate of municipal candidates when casting their ballots this November. Three contenders have thrown their hats in the ring for the mayoral race. Seven residents have submitted paperwork for three seats on the city council.
As of June 21 — the deadline to file for candidacy — Kenny Rayome Jr. and city councilors Hugh Taylor and Peggy Williams had announced their bids for mayor. As for city council, incumbents Gary Beach, Rob Dufficy and Kristin Smith are vying with Melissa Berke, Zachariah McNew, DC Orr and outgoing Mayor Brent Teske for three four-year terms.
Rayome serves as the operator of the Libby Water Treatment Plant and is the energy behind the upcoming Liberty on Parade. Rayome also is a father of three and a U.S. Navy veteran.
Hugh Taylor is a Libby native and was appointed to city council in March of 2018. Taylor served in the U.S. Marine Corps, and was a member of the Libby Volunteer Fire Department.* He is an employee at Kootenai Truck Repair, according to the City of Libby website.
Elected in 2007, Peggy Williams is the most senior member of city council. She has served as treasurer for the Kootenai Heritage Council and as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. Williams is the chief financial officer of Lincoln County Broadcasters Inc., according to the city website.
Zachariah McNew has served as the president of ZT Enterprises LLC since 2012. The company operates Town and Country Property Management, Sunshine Vending and Windows, Doors and More, according to McNew’s LinkedIn account.
Melissa Berke is the owner of Polish Cleaning LLC. She is also a mother of two and has previously run for the Lincoln County Health Board.
Rob Dufficy currently serves on the council. He retired to Libby after a career as a peace officer. Dufficy holds a master’s degree in public administration and served as a U.S. Army officer during the Vietnam War, according to the city website. He has also served on the City of Libby Commission and as a board chairman of the Lincoln County Library trustees.
Kristin Smith is a member of the city council as well as Libby’s planning board and zoning commission. She moved to Libby in 2009 to continue a career in community planning and redevelopment, according to the city website. Following the birth of her first child, Smith co-founded the Cabinet Mountain Brewing Company.
Gary Beach joined the city council in September of 2016 to fill a vacant seat. Beach has lived in Libby since 1989 and graduated from Libby High School in 1995, according to the city website. Beach’s professional career includes 12 years of personnel, project and emergency management. He currently works as the service manager at Timberline Auto. He previously has worked at Noble Excavating, Stimson Lumber Co.
DC Orr previously served on the city council and was the owner of Marion Orr Excavating Inc., according to his LinkedIn profile. Orr has remained active in local politics and emerged as a leading critic of the county’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. He currently faces a felony assault with a weapon charge in Lincoln County District Court after allegedly trying to run down a woman in his pickup truck last month.
Brent Teske is the deputy director of Lincoln County Emergency Management and has served as Libby’s mayor since 2016. In 2013, he was elected to city council. Teske is a U.S. Navy veteran and former Libby Police officer. He has served as a board member of the Igniters Car Club, the Lincoln County Veterans Memorial Committee and the David Thompson Search and Rescue Board, according to the city website. Earlier this year, he revealed his plans to step aside as mayor, with an eye toward potentially running for city council.
Municipal primary elections will be held on Sept. 14, according to the state Secretary of State’s website. The municipal general election is scheduled for Nov. 2.
*The article has been updated to reflect that Hugh Taylor is no longer a member of the Libby Volunteer Fire Department.