Partial results in Anaconda show Everett, Sather in lead

Voters in Anaconda-Deer Lodge County cast ballots for key positions in the city-county, including chief executive, police chief and county commissioners.

Many voters also weighed in about whether to authorize Anaconda-Deer Lodge County to issue bonds up to $4.7 million to renovate and upgrade the Anaconda Fire Station.

In addition, voters were directed to choose five of 13 candidates for a local government study commission. And they cast ballots in state Senate and House races.

As of 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, final results in these races were not yet reported.

In the chief executive race, incumbent Bill Everett, seeking a third four-year term, faced Greg Bahr, an Anaconda native, building inspector and former employee of Montana Resources. Everett had 55% of the vote at 9:30 p.m. to Bahr's 45%, with six of six precincts partially reported.

Police Chief Bill Sather faced a challenge from Kyle Staley, a detective with the department. Sather had 58% of the vote at 9:30 p.m. and Staley had 42%, with six of six precincts partially reported.

Sather grew up in Anaconda and has been a police officer in his hometown for nearly 32 years.

Staley has lived in Anaconda for 17 years.

Both men talked during the campaign about the challenges faced by law enforcement tied to illegal drugs, addiction and people struggling with mental illness.

In races for County Commission, incumbent Kevin Hart faced Dave Galle in a race to represent District 3. Hart had 65% of the vote at 9:30 p.m. and Galle had 35%. Hart, an Anaconda native, is a supervisor of Montana Correctional Enterprises at Montana State Prison. Galle, a master plumber, was born in Butte but raised in Anaconda.

The District Five race featured incumbent Ed Beaudette, an Anaconda native and semi-retired lawyer, and challenger Con Malee, who has lived in Anaconda for 46 years. Malee has worked for Montana Power and other utilities and has worked also in sales, banking and other fields.

Beaudette had 56% of the vote with two precincts partially reported.

Incumbents Mike Beausoleil was unopposed to represent Commission District 1 and Steve Gates was unopposed to represent District 2.

Morgan Smith was unopposed as a candidate for County Attorney.

Similarly, Jeff Dahood was unopposed for service as the Third Judicial District Court Judge.

The vote about bonds to upgrade the Anaconda Fire Station was 53% opposed at 9:30 p.m.

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