Deadline day: Democratic candidate field gathers at courthouse for final filing

The election table is set and Gallatin County candidates are hungry for November.

Newcomer Democratic candidates joined incumbents at the Gallatin County Courthouse on Wednesday for the final filing day, blending fresh ambition with familiar contenders who are intent on continuing to represent their constituents.

“I literally just (filed) for this position last week,” county treasurer candidate Stephen Ball said.

Ball, 27, who has a Montana State University accounting degree, became inspired to throw his hat in the ring after seeing a social media post complaining about current Republican Treasurer Maureen Horton.

“FOR THE LOVE OF SANITY SOMEONE PLEASE RUN AGAINST THE CURRENT GALLATIN COUNTY TREASURER,” an online user posted on a Bozeman social media community page Feb. 18.

Horton is no stranger to controversy. In 2024, Gallatin County commissioners raised concerns over alleged attempts from her to regain control over county bank accounts, bucking a 2021 resolution delegating treasury duties to the commission’s finance department. That resolution has since been nullified.

In 2021, control over some of the county’s banking practices shifted from the treasurer to its financial department after procedural issues led the county to lose its AA+ bond rating. At the time, the county fell three years behind on its financial statements, and more than $600,000 was unaccounted for in 2021.

County treasurer candidates must be at least 18 years old, U.S. citizens, Montana residents, and registered voters in the counties where they are running. State law mandates no specific professional financial or accounting degrees for the position, according to the Montana Association of Counties.

Ball is aiming for a 21st century campaigning strategy with a well-established online presence. He had yet to create a website as of Wednesday.

A successful boots on the ground campaign runs on free food and a lot of door knocking, per Kathleen Williams. Williams, 65, is a state Senate District 31 candidate for a constituency encompassing Bozeman’s south side from MSU extending west to the Gallatin River past Four Corners

“It’s really getting out, ensuring that I’m really grounded in the needs and interests of the district,” said Williams, describing her personal campaigning philosophy. “I always learn so much from both the residents and businesses in the district (campaigning). That’s what my lens is when I go up to Helena if I have the honor of being (elected).”

With MSU home to many students, Williams said younger voters are a key demographic. Her predecessor, Democrat Sen. Pat Flowers, was known particularly among student voters for on-campus question and coffee sessions at the Strand Union Building.

“There usually has to be food,” Williams said with a laugh, describing campaign events. “My goal is to do quite a bit of in-person gatherings related to MSU and the students there. Just hearing people’s stories. It isn’t really about competition, it’s about engagement.”

Williams unsuccessfully challenged current Gov. Greg Gianforte for the state’s sole at-large U.S. House seat in 2018 and lost to Matt Rosendale for the same seat in 2020. The 2018 defeat was the closest a Montana Democrat came to winning a U.S. House seat since 1994.

Taxation reorganization, energy reforms, promoting a diverse economy, and legislating childcare, housing and healthcare affordability solutions are Williams’ top goals, she said. Her Republican challenger, Richard Aungier, emerged after filing on Tuesday.

House District 57 Rep. Scott Rosenzweig shares legislative goals to streamline taxation and enact healthcare affordability via a more inclusive state healthcare plan.

“I feel like I know what I’m doing this time,” Rosenzweig said. “It’s a really interesting blend of both legislating while campaigning.”

Rosenzweig was first elected to the Montana House in 2024. Toppling longtime Park County Republican Marty Malone, Rosenzweig won by 20 votes. It was the closest Montana House election that year and the only race to have a recount.

“My focus for the next four years is continuity,” Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell said.

Cromwell defeated incumbent Republican Marty Lambert in 2022. She said mental health remains a top priority for her office.

She touted the county’s pivot-deferred prosecution program. The system is a voluntary, post-charge diversionary agreement where prosecutors can delay criminal proceedings for typically first-time or low-risk offenders in exchange for completing specific treatments, community service or restitutions.

“In the next term I really want to focus on the intersection of mental health, addiction and criminal matters,” Cromwell said. “This is not necessarily with (the county’s) involuntary commitment cases, which is more on the civil side, but this is focused on the crime committed and trying to get at that root cause.”

Working with the Gallatin Behavioral Health Coalition, Cromwell said the partnership explores potential care continuum changes.

“A lot of folks suffering with mental illness and addiction end up in the (county) jail, being held in the jail for a pretty extended period of time,” she said.

She said because of ongoing Montana State Hospital financial challenges limiting capacity, some mental health cases are dismissed instead of giving cases the attention and care they deserve. Nearly four years passed after reports of significant deficiencies at the facility, including some that led to patient deaths, resulted in the loss of a key federal certification and funding access.

“I filed on the first day,” House District 62 Rep. Joshua Seckinger, a Democrat, said. “I’m an incumbent. I fought hard for my constituents (during the legislative session) two years ago. I think I’m going to do just fine.”

District 62 covers the Bozeman Gateway, Babcock Meadows, Valley Creek, Loyal Garden, Norton Ranch, King Arthur Park and southern Four Corners.

Continuing property tax reforms and finding data center and corner crossing solutions are the top issues for Seckinger, who showed up to support the county’s Democratic candidate slate.

“There is still work to be done,” he said.