Democrat Jean Curtiss, who defeated incumbent Michael Kennedy in the primary election, will face Republican Bill Farrell in the county commissioner race. Curtiss worked as a teacher and served four years as Montana's Parent Teacher Association president, representing Montana on the national PTA board. Curtiss said she wants to maintain the present system, while Ferrell said he would like to privatize some programs to save the county money. Ferrell mentioned contracting private road building or timber companies, which may provide cheaper services than county workers. Curtiss said privatizing often means the company that bids the lowest price will probably give its workers the least pay and benefits.
Land use is another major issue in the race.
Curtiss said she favors adopting stricter zoning and subdivision policies to better manage growth in rural areas like Target Range. Ferrell, who himself lives in Target Range, said he thinks people in the affected areas should have the final vote on zoning and subdivision policies rather than state or county governments. The county commissioner oversees the county's budgeting and policies, such as zoning and road repair, that aren't strictly mandated by state law. Both clerk candidates, incumbent Democrat Kathleen Breuer and Republican newcomer Janet Foss, who work in the same clerk of District Court office, said they will try to improve communication if elected. Foss said trying to establish better working relationships among office staff and district judges would be her priority.