No Incumbents Running for Missoula City Council

For those that pay attention to Missoula city politics there’s an interesting feature about the upcoming election season… an absolute dearth of incumbents for city council. Each election year, six of the 12 city council seats are up for re-election, but this year, familiar names like Jason Weiner, Ed Childers, Alex Taft, Mike O’Herron and Adam Hertz will likely not be on the ballot. Even Patrick Weasel Head, who replaced Caitlin Copple after she stepped down, still hasn’t filed. KGVO asked Hertz why so many council members appeared to be giving up their seats.

"I know I can't speak for anybody else, but I've really enjoyed my time serving the citizens of ward two, but I just have a lot going on with work, family and other commitments and don't think I have the time to re-up and serve another term, so I've decided not to run, Hertz said.

Hertz said he has been busy looking for a replacement that will do a good job for the city.

"One voice that I think has been largely lacking has been the voice of fiscal conservatism, so I'm certainly reaching out to folks that I think would be able to carry that torch," Hertz said. "I'm focusing on finding people with business backgrounds, and you know backgrounds that can get the city on a better track in terms of economic development."

So far, five candidates have entered the race, but no one is vying for Ed Childer’s seat in ward six. Any registered voter that lives in a Missoula Ward can enter the race, as long as they file paperwork before July second. The filing fee is $140.23.