Ted Solomon runs for county commissioner

Ted Solomon, who ranches south of Havre, will be running for the Hill County Commission this year as an independent.

Solomon made the announcement Sunday night during the Blaine and Hill County Republicans Lincoln-Reagan dinner at the Havre Best Western Inn Plus.

Records from the Hill County Clerk and Recorder's show Solomon officially filed his paperwork to run Feb. 12.

"I've been on these roads for many years, and I am going to do my best to do what we can with the money that is allotted to the commission to work with," Solomon said.

Solomon has lived at the same address south of Havre since 1950, where he and his wife have ranched.

He is a distant cousin of Havre Mayor Tim Solomon,

He is also founder of Solomon Fire Equipment Company LLC, which contracts out equipment and personnel to the U.S Fire Service among other clients.

Solomon has been active in local politics, mounting two unsuccessful campaigns as a Republican for the state Senate in 1994 and 2002. In 1998, he ran but lost a race for the District 1 seat on the Montana Public Service Commission.

The District 2 seat that Solomon is running for on the three-member County Commission is now occupied by Jeff LaVoi, also an independent. LaVoi has said he does not plan on running for re-election when his term expires in November.

Solomon is the only candidate to enter the race so far.

Brenda Skornogoski, chair of the Hill County Democrats, said she has spoken to a few people to be the party's candidate, but said they are still actively looking.