Candidates line up to run for local office in Ravalli County

Several local elected positions are up for grabs in Ravalli County's 2026 elections including two county commission seats, county sheriff, county attorney, clerk and recorder/superintendent of schools, treasurer and judges.

The window to file to run for office opened on Feb. 17 and will close on March 4.

Two candidates have filed their intention to run for the Ravalli County Commissioners District 1 seat currently occupied by incumbent Republican Greg Chilcott, who is retiring. Stephen Kowal of Stevensville and Matthew Roth of Florence have filed to run in the Republican primary for the District 1 seat being vacated by Chilcott. No Democrats have filed to run for the seat yet.

Incumbent Republican Commissioner Jeff Burrows has filed for re-election in Ravalli County Commissioners District 3. Burrows currently has no opponent in the primary race. No Democrats have filed to run for the seat yet.

Incumbent Ravalli County Clerk and Recorder/Superintendent of Schools Regina Plettenburg (R) has filed for re-election. She currently has no challenger in the Republican primary. No Democrats have filed to run for the seat yet.

Incumbent County Attorney/Public Administrator Bill Fulbright (R) has filed for re-election. He currently has no challenger in the Republican primary. No Democrats have filed to run for the seat yet.

Incumbent Ravalli County Sheriff and Coroner Steve Holton (R) of Corvallis will run against Nicholas R. Monaco (R) of Florence in the June primary to keep his position. No Democrats have filed to run for the seat yet.

Incumbent Ravalli County Treasurer/Surveyor/Assessor Dan Whitesitt (R) of Stevensville has filed for re-election. He currently has no challenger in the Republican primary. No Democrats have filed to run for the seat yet.

Incumbent District Court Judge Jennifer Lint’s term is expiring this year. She, nor any other candidate, has filed to run for the position as of yet.

Incumbent Dept. 1 Justice of the Peace Jennifer Bedey Ray has filed for re-election. She currently has no challenger.

Incumbent Dept. 2 Justice of the Peace Scott Burlingham has filed for re-election. He currently has no challenger.

Primary elections will be held June 2 by mail. Absentee ballots will be mailed out May 8.

Special Purpose District Elections in May for drainage districts, fire districts, irrigation districts, park and library districts, water and/or sewer districts have been cancelled as there are no contested elections. Candidates will be elected by acclimation.

To see who's filed to run for the Montana Legislature in Ravalli County, please click below.