Deadline nears for candidates to file for elected offices

Time is running out for candidates to file for elected offices in Lincoln County.

Those interested in running for open seats for mayor or city council in Libby, Troy, Eureka and Rexford have until 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, to indicate their interest.

Candidates must be registered to vote in Lincoln County. Voters must be 18 years old, on or before the next election, a U.S. citizen and lived in the county for at least 30 days.

They must also fill out a declaration for nomination and oath of candidacy. The forms, as well as instructions for registering with the Commissioner of Political Practices, may be found at https://lincolncountymt.us/voting-information/.

For more information, call the county Election Office at 406-283-2302.

Here’s a look at the candidates who have filed for the following seats:

For Libby City Mayor, Hugh R. Taylor II filed on April 18 for the four-year term.

Libby City Council has three seats for 4-year terms and one seat for a 2-year term.

For the 4-year terms, incumbent Gail Burger will get competition from Brian S. Crompton, Brook Bolin and Erica Schaefer. Burger was appointed Sept. 16, 2024, following the resignation Gary Beach.

For the 2-year council term in Libby, incumbent Ethan Kolp filed to run. Kolp was also an appointee, sworn in March 17, 2025, when Ian Smith resigned the seat Feb. 18 because he took a job with the Troy Police Department. Smith served on council for 14 months following his election in November 2023.

Troy has two candidates for mayor, which is a four-year term. Incumbent T.J. Bosworth will be opposed by Gilbert Leslie Gravier II. Boswell Jr. was sworn in Nov. 18, 2024, following the Oct. 21 resignation of Chuck Ekstedt.

There are two openings for 4-year seats on Troy City Council. Incumbent Scott Hoffman is the lone candidate at this point.

Troy also has one 2-year seat on city council. No one has filed yet.

In Eureka, there are no filings yet for mayor or two, 4-year city council seats.

In Rexford, there are two positions for 4-year terms on the town council. Incumbent Patsy Reece has filed.