James O'Hara faces off in Chouteau County race

State Rep. James O'Hara, R-Fort Benton, will not run for re-election to the Montana House of Representatives, but is instead mounting a Republican primary challenge for his former seat on the Chouteau County Commission.

O'Hara is challenging incumbent Commissioner Robert Pasha in the June 5 Republican primary. Because no Democrat or Independent has filed, the winner of the primary will be unopposed in the general election.

O'Hara was elected in 2016 to House District 27, which includes Chouteau and Liberty as well as parts of Hill and Cascade counties.

He said that he decided to run for county commission because after 14 years in state and local government, he has learned that a person can get more done at the local level.

O'Hara said through his time in politics, he has networked with many skilled political leaders, something that he said is key to success in any kind of policy making and is an asset he would bring to the commission.

As former business owner, including a coffee shop in Great Falls, he said that he also has administrative skills that help as a commissioner.

Maintaining the county's large number of roads while keeping property taxes low is something O'Hara said he plans to work on if elected .

Historically, the commission has only met in the office every Monday and every other Tuesday, he said, but he plans if elected to come to work at the courthouse every day so he can be more accessible to the public.

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James O'Hara

Date and place of birth: Jan. 14, 1954; Fort Benton

Education: Montana State University, never graduated; Fort Benton High School, 1972

Work history: Farmer, former business owner,

Family: Vicky O'Hara, wife; three grown daughters

Political experience: Montana House of Representatives in House District 27, 2017 to present; Republican gubernatorial primary candidate, 2012; Chouteau County Commissioner, 2001-2013, former member of the Governor's Tax Advisory Board