Boucher wins 4th ward council seat against Datko

Republican Matt Boucher won the only contested Havre City Council race, Tuesday, defeating Democrat Karen Datko 225-173 in the race for the open four-year seat in Ward 4.

Boucher, a former Marine, is a newcomer to politics. Datko is secretary of the Hill County Democratic Committee. Before becoming active in politics, she was managing editor of the Havre Daily News.

Boucher, upon hearing of his victory, said he was anxious to get to work for his constituents.

Both candidates went door to door seeking votes in their east-side district. Boucher said he swept through the district three times to ensure that he got to speak to as many potential voters as possible.

The new councilman is a Havre High graduate and an Iraq war veteran.

John Paul Schmidt, Tim Leeds and John Kelleher contributed to this report.