Montana politics, elections and legislative news

Recount announced for closely contested state utility board seat

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Montana’s Secretary of State has announced a recount will take place in the Republican primary for a seat on the state’s utility oversight board.

Four Republican candidates competed for their party’s nomination to run for the Montana Public Service Commission’s District 5. Unofficial results from the June 7 primary election show that Flathead doctor Annie Bukacek received 87 more votes than state lawmaker Derek Skees, also of the Flathead.

That slim margin falls just within the threshold needed to automatically trigger a state-funded recount of votes. Skees petitioned the Secretary of State’s office to begin the process.

District 5 includes Flathead, Lake, Lewis & Clark and Teton Counties. Election administrators in those counties will conduct the recount.

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Shaylee covers state government and politics for Montana Public Radio. Please share tips, questions and concerns at 406-539-1677 or shaylee.ragar@mso.umt.edu.