HELENA — The first candidate officially running for Lewis and Clark County Commission launched his campaign Thursday morning.
Tom Rolfe, of Helena, filed his paperwork with the county elections office, accompanied by a number of supporters. He is running for the county commission seat representing District 2, which includes parts of central Helena and the Helena Valley, along with the Augusta area.
Incumbent Commissioner Susan Good Geise is not running for another six-year term.
Rolfe has spent about 30 years in the Helena area, working in auto sales, most recently at Helena Motors. He said his family has received a lot from this community.
“It’s time for me to give back to the community and try to help keep Lewis and Clark County as a very positive, growing community,” he said.
Rolfe praised the work the current members of the commission has done. He said he wants to build on what they have accomplished and continue to focus on issues like providing mental health services, improving infrastructure and making sure county government is efficient.
“I am a good listener, I’m willing to investigate, and I’m willing to act to support the people in the county,” he said.
Rolfe has previous political experience. He spent one term in the Montana Legislature, as a Republican representative from Bozeman during the 1973 and 1974 sessions.
This year will be the first time a Lewis and Clark County commissioner will be elected without a party labels, after county voters approved a switch to nonpartisan elections last year.
While Rolfe is the first county commission candidate to officially place their name on the ballot, there has been some other interest in the position. Tyrel Suzor-Hoy filed paperwork with the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices last year, indicating he intended to run for the commission seat.
