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SENATE DISTRICT 1 – REPUBLICAN
Steve Gunderson: I’m known by many all across Lincoln County. 68 years young, I have lived, worked and played in Libby since 1969, graduating from LHS in 1975. Cherie, Love of My Life of 47 years and I were married in 1979. We are blessed with two Sons; Dustin and Jason, as well as two of the most wonderful grandkids.
I’m a proud veteran of the Army National Guard attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant as a Combat Engineer. As a senior NCO I held leadership and training positions. I worked in the oilfields of ND for a number of years until we returned to Libby to start and manage a new family business in the early 80’s. We employed a large number of locals over the 35 years we were in business.
Our family was active in school sports and Scouting program, producing 2 Eagle Scouts. Cherie is retired and volunteers as a board member/treasurer for the Church of God and we both volunteer with LOVE Inc.
We both value, respect and observe the 2nd Amendment. My parents raised me to respect God, Country, Flag and my fellow man. I represented South Lincoln County in the Montana House for from 2017 to 2023 following my Christian and conservative values. I have a battle-tested and verifiable conservative record always making choices benefiting Lincoln County.
I continue working tirelessly and diligently behind the scenes to return our historic natural resource extraction heritage projects, jobs, and the family wages they bring. I’m proud of my past legislative leadership positions, chairman of House Natural Resources and the Environmental Quality Council. I am proud to have created, chaired, and guided Libby Asbestos Superfund Oversight Committee. I am a constant natural resource extraction economy advocate. We need to return historic timber and mining jobs to Lincoln County!
SENATE DISTRICT 1 – DEMOCRATIC
Jonathan Russell Jameson: Hello reader, I hope you are doing well. Like most, my path hasn’t been easy. My family has been farmers from generation to generation until my grandpa George (Jim) Jameson became a drywaller. He was followed by my father Ralph who was also a drywaller and the first to graduate from High School (LHS-81). I am the second to graduate High School, but I did not stop there, I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Geology from Central Washington University. While in school I worked in a restaurant as a busser, host, waiter, and day bartender to pay for school.
After I received my degree, I went straight into the oil field and worked as an onsite geologist. In 17 years of oil field work I have leveraged my skill set to work from home doing remote geosteering. This wasn’t by accident or given to me, I had to make a lot of hard decisions and stand up for myself and my abilities. One thing that propelled me was my goal to be the best at what I do and to care about the work I do.
After my son was born I moved my family to Lincoln County in 2017 because I always saw this as the best place on earth and I wanted to follow in my grandparents’ footsteps. As my family started assimilating into the community, we started seeing the cracks in the system and we have been doing everything we can to make a difference within the community.
I am spiritual and I accept Jesus in my heart; we attend United Methodist Church on Sunday mornings.
I’m running in this race to bring the ideas we all have to the table and create action to get things accomplished by working together.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE HOUSE DISTRICT 1 – REPUBLICAN
Michelle Bianco: President of the Republican Women’s Club for Lincoln County and the District 1 Director for the MT Federation of Republican Women. Michelle has been a proven fighter for Lincoln County. She started the group Citizens for Protecting Lincoln County and started raising awareness about fire danger, homeowners’ insurance, and property taxes. Michelle and Tom have been married 34 years with two children. She is an educator and small business owner. Her husband is an Army Veteran. Together, they raise horses in Fortine. Michelle comes from a ranching family with historic roots in Montana. Her mother was a tough as nails horseshoer, and they raised cattle and hay. Her great-grandfather wrote a book featured in the Montana Heritage Center about the family’s early life in Butte and their role in the early days of mining.
“Lincoln County is the last best place on Earth, and I will fight to make sure Lincoln County is heard. Bureaucrats and environmental extremists have taken away our jobs, threatened our homes, and cost the taxpayers millions of dollars. I’ll bring common sense to Helena, fight for policies that put Lincoln County first, fight for a fair court system that listens to the residents of Lincoln County, and not just out-of-state lawyers. There is a battle happening here in Lincoln County, and I plan on defending our way of life. I’m running to bring back mining, revive logging, and stop the property tax hikes that are crushing rural Montana families. As your candidate, I back the blue each and every day and will work to secure our Northern border and to stop drugs, gangs, and crime from flooding into Lincoln County. We need a proven fighter with results, and we need action now. That’s why I’m running.”
STATE REPRESENTATIVE HOUSE DISTRICT 1 – DEMOCRATIC
Dakota V Adams: No Biography Submitted
STATE REPRESENTATIVE HOUSE DISTRICT 2 – REPUBLICAN
Tom Millett: Raised in the wide-open desert north of Tucson, Arizona, I graduated from high school at just 17 before answering the call to serve my country. I joined the United States Navy, completing eight years of active duty and two years in the reserves. During my service, I graduated from Electrician’s School and the prestigious Naval Nuclear Power School, preparing for high-responsibility assignments in the Navy’s nuclear fleet.
I served as a commissioning crew member aboard two nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). I am a combat veteran of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, having served with honor during the 1990–1991 Gulf War. I received an honorable discharge in 1991 and remain a life member of both the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Following my military career, I built more than three decades of experience in the civilian nuclear and fossil power generation industries, as well as in telecommunications. My work has spanned operations, consulting, and technical leadership roles, earning me a reputation for expertise and reliability in complex, high-stakes environments.
Fourteen years ago, I left Las Vegas in search of a different way of life and found it in Montana. Drawn by the culture of freedom, rugged independence, breathtaking landscapes, and welcoming communities, I settled in Marion. There, on four acres of land, my wife and I built our home and the life we had envisioned.
Today, I continue to serve as an independent consultant to the power generation and telecommunications industries combining decades of hands-on experience, disciplined leadership, and a lifelong commitment to service.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE HOUSE DISTRICT 2 – DEMOCRATIC
Jane Maahs: No Biography Submitted
COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 1 – REPUBLICAN
Stuart Crismore: I am a lifelong resident of Lincoln county. I grew up out by Happy’s Inn and attended my first three years of school at a one room schoolhouse there. After moving to town I completed my education in Libby and graduated from LSHS in 1975. I later took night classes at FVCC Libby branch and studied history and business administration.
I’m a member of Libby Christian Church and have been since the church was founded. I’m married and have four children eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
I’m a lifelong conservative and have been involved in politics in one way or the other for many years, (I received admonishment for carrying a Goldwater poster to close to a polling location). In high school I served as Lincoln County youth chairman for Dick Shoop and later served as Marc Racicot’s county chair. I also served on the Libby planning board and one term on the city council.
I’ve been involved in numerous clubs and organizations including the Jaycee’s, Masons, Log Jamb, Montana Logging Association and Hoo Hoo international. I currently serve as President of the Sally Sauer Heart Fund and Chairman of the Board of Fisher River Valley Fire Service Area.
I’ve spent my entire career working in the private sector. I started working in the woods beside my Dad when I was in Jr high school, besides logging I’ve built and maintained roads throughout Lincoln County. I was an Accredited Logging Professional and also a member of the American Petroleum Institute.
I believe that Lincoln Counties people and natural resources are our greatest assets.
It would be my great honor and privilege to serve the people of Lincoln County .
COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 1 – DEMOCRATIC
COUNTY CLERK AND RECORDER – REPUBLICAN
Crystal Denton: No Biography Submitted
COUNTY CLERK AND RECORDER – DEMOCRATIC
COUNTY SHERIFF – REPUBLICAN
Darren Short: I am a lifelong Lincoln County resident and have called this community home since 1971. I graduated from Libby Senior High School in 1984 and began my public service career as a volunteer EMT with Libby Volunteer Ambulance, where I served for 10 years. I also volunteered with the David Thompson Search and Rescue team, working on the mountain, boat, and dive units.
My law enforcement career began in 1997 with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Deputy Program. In 1998, I joined the Libby Police Department, and in 2001 I became the Troy Resident Deputy for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. During my service, I worked as a narcotics detective. In 2006, I served in Afghanistan as a police advisor under a U.S. Department of State contract. I returned to Libby in 2011 and continued my service with the Libby Police Department, where I rose to the rank of Sergeant.
I was elected Lincoln County Sheriff in 2018 and have served through significant local challenges, including severe flooding, infrastructure damage, and ongoing staffing and resource demands. My approach to leadership emphasizes service, accountability, professionalism, and community engagement.
With more than seventy percent of Lincoln County consisting of National Forest and a limited sworn staff, I have focused on maintaining working relationships with local, state, and federal agencies, as well as volunteer fire departments, ambulance services, and search and rescue teams. I also serve on the board of the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association and participate in the Western States Sheriffs’ Association.
COUNTY SHERIFF – LIBERTARIAN
Ian Smith: I’m Ian Smith and I am running for Sheriff of Lincoln County. I have lived in Libby for the last seven years, 10 years in Sandpoint prior. I am currently serving as a full-time police officer.
I believe the most noble thing a man can do is give back to his community and his country. That is why I have been involved in some form of community service since the age of 16. From volunteer firefighter and EMT, to soldier, police officer, detention officer, and Libby City Council member, I have given my entire adult life to sacrifice and service.
I am a combat veteran who served in the United States Army for six years. In 2007, I deployed to Iraq as a machine gunner, completing over 250 combat missions, in addition to serving as fire team leader, recon scout, and member of high profile security details.
In my free time I enjoy shooting, hunting, fishing, and camping with my wife Corinne and my dog Ivy. I also co-host a small YouTube channel where I teach different outdoor skills such as survival, shooting, first aid, and gear reviews.
COUNTY CORONER – REPUBLICAN
Craig Riddle: Hello, my name is Roger Craig Riddle, though I am known in the community as Craig.
I am a devout Christian and proud father to some great kids. My professional background is rooted in service and care for others. I began my career in the U.S. Army as a medic and enlisted nurse. While on active duty from 2007 to 2010, I earned Intensive Care Certification through the Medical College of Georgia’s Anesthesiology Program, along with Hyperbaric, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and Basic Life Support Instructor certifications, in addition to extensive field medicine training. I later served four more years in the Army Reserves as senior medic for an engineering company in West Virginia.
During and after my military service, I worked as a nurse in maximum-security correctional facilities and state youth penitentiary. After moving to Libby in 2013, I completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Homeland Security while continuing to serve the community as a nurse.
In 2021, I transitioned into the funeral service profession, becoming crematory manager at Schnackenberg Funeral Home and attending mortuary school. I became a licensed funeral director and mortician in Montana in 2024, advanced to co-manager in 2025, and in January 2026 became a co-owner of Schnackenberg and Riddle Funeral Home.
While working at the funeral home in 2022, I also began serving as a Deputy County Coroner, completing Basic training at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy in Helena. On December 19, 2024, I was sworn in by Judge Cuffe as the appointed County Coroner following the retirement of Steve Schnackenberg, a role I continue to serve.
COUNTY CORONER – DEMOCRATIC
COUNTY ATTORNEY – REPUBLICAN
Marcia Boris: No Biography Submitted
COUNTY ATTORNEY – DEMOCRATIC
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR – REPUBLICAN
Amanda Eckart: For the past eight years, Lincoln County has been my proud home. My family and I enjoy the great outdoors and are grateful to be part of a community we truly love.
Serving as a Deputy Clerk for four and a half years has provided me with extensive knowledge of county operations and court procedures. Additionally, my three years as Public Administrator have strengthened my understanding of Montana law relating to probate and estate administration.
Dedication, integrity, and attention to detail guide my work each day. I am committed to ensuring that estates requiring the involvement of the Office of Public Administrator are handled accurately, efficiently, and in full compliance with probate procedures and Montana law. Serving the residents of Lincoln County with professionalism, accountability, and care is both an honor and a responsibility I take seriously.
I am proud to continue serving this community and remain focused on upholding the trust placed in me as Public Administrator.
LINCOLN COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS – REPUBLICAN
Suzy Rios: No Biography Submitted
COUNTY TREASURER – REPUBLICAN
Sedaris Carlberg: No Biography Submitted
COUNTY TREASURER – DEMOCRATIC
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE – NONPARTISAN
Jay Sheffield: No Biography Submitted
