Primary Profiles: Four Republicans seek county commission seat

Wes attended Ronan High School. He has three children and two grandchildren.

Wes is a rancher, business owner, and electrical contractor.

Wes Baertsch's campaign for County Commissioner in Lake County is his first entry into politics.

Said, "I have...supported local sports teams in the valley and volunteer[ed] at multiple community events."

- Wants to fix school budget issues.
- Said, "I have...supported local sports teams in the valley and volunteer[ed] at multiple community events."

Public Services

Wants to collaborate with tribal communities.

As of June 7, 2025, Wes Baertsch did not have a website or any information online.

Environment

Said, "I want to make sure we are being fiscally responsible with items that consume a large portion of the overall budget."

Supports the Western Montana Stockgrowers Association.

- Said, "I want to make sure we are being fiscally responsible with items that consume a large portion of the overall budget."
- Supports the Western Montana Stockgrowers Association.

Economy

Plans to work with the Lake County Sheriff's Office and others to improve safety, which is critical due to Lake County's growth.

Wants to decrease crime rates and drug use.

- Plans to work with the Lake County Sheriff's Office and others to improve safety, which is critical due to Lake County's growth.
- Wants to decrease crime rates and drug use.

Public Safety

Said, "Many of the issues impacting the housing costs are beyond the control of the county," but plans to evaluate current policies to ensure they are efficient and fiscally responsible.

- Said, "Many of the issues impacting the housing costs are beyond the control of the county," but plans to evaluate current policies to ensure they are efficient and fiscally responsible.

Housing & Urban Development

Plans to work with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes to improve roads, infrastructure, and public safety.

- Plans to work with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes to improve roads, infrastructure, and public safety.

Transportation & Infrastructure

- Wants to improve health insurance rates.

Healthcare

Wes Baertsch

Lake County Staff Directory: Gale Decker

Lake County Leader: Primary Profiles: Four Republicans seek county commission seat

Gale received his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Montana. He resides in Polson with his wife. He volunteers in the cross-country, basketball, and track programs for Ronan Schools and serves as the chairman of the Ronan Hall of Fame committee.

 Gale taught in the Ronan School District for 33 years.

Gale L. Decker currently serves as Lake County Commissioner. He was elected in 2012 and is seeking re-election. He also served as the Lake County Superintendent of Schools for six years.

Supports constructive communication with tribal council members.

- Supports constructive communication with tribal council members.

Decker, Swenson vie for county commissioner

Lists environmental health as a priority.

- Wants to implement noxious weed control.
- Lists environmental health as a priority.

Said, "Providing our employees with a wage that allows them to support themselves and their families is important..."

- Supports property tax relief.
- Said, "Providing our employees with a wage that allows them to support themselves and their families is important..."
- Encourages small business development.

Supports additional funding for law enforcement.

- Places emphasis on public safety.
- Supports additional funding for law enforcement.

Supports lowering housing construction costs through offering land to developers at lowered costs.

- Supports lowering housing construction costs through offering land to developers at lowered costs.

Plans to address road repairs and maintenance.

- Plans to address road repairs and maintenance.

As of June 7, 2025, Gale L. Decker did not have a website or any information online.

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LinkedIn

Gale L. Decker

Josh graduated from Powell County High School. He is the president of the Northwest Counties Farm Bureau and a member of Lake County Search and Rescue. Josh and his wife Cortney have two children, and they attend New Life Church.

Josh is a horse trainer and self-employed rancher. 

Josh Senecal's campaign for County Commissioner in Lake County is his first entry into politics. 

Aims to collaborate and work with local tribes to build a relationship.

- Aims to collaborate and work with local tribes to build a relationship.

As of June 7, 2025, Josh Senecal did not have a website or any information online.

Supports budget reform to reduce inefficiencies and balance spending.

- Supports budget reform to reduce inefficiencies and balance spending.

Supports increased funding for law enforcement.

- Supports increased funding for law enforcement.

Supports lifting some zoning restrictions to allow for mobile home parks as an option for affordable housing.

- Supports lifting some zoning restrictions to allow for mobile home parks as an option for affordable housing.

Josh Senecal

Max Krantz graduated from Charlo High School.

Max owns a small ranch and a licensed composting business. He previously owned a construction business, worked at Plum Creek Timber Co, and spent 12 years in rodeo. 

Max Krantz ran for County Commissioner in District 2 in 2022, but did not win, 

Candidate website

Said, "I would support the creation of a horse and multi-use building in Ronan."

Pledges to support the creation of a horse and multi-use building in Ronan.

Supports the construction of a pavilion built for indoor activities such as archery shoots, indoor winter festivals, or equine horse activities.

- Pledges to support the creation of a horse and multi-use building in Ronan.
- Supports the construction of a pavilion built for indoor activities such as archery shoots, indoor winter festivals, or equine horse activities.

Promises to work with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes to protect Flathead Lake as a source of recreation, revenue, and irrigation water.

- Promises to work with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes to protect Flathead Lake as a source of recreation, revenue, and irrigation water.
- Supports youth agricultural groups.

Plans to address Lake County's high employee turnover by ensuring transparent departmental budgets, sufficient funds for equipment and supplies, and equitable distribution of services like roads and waste management across the region.

- Plans to address Lake County's high employee turnover by ensuring transparent departmental budgets, sufficient funds for equipment and supplies, and equitable distribution of services like roads and waste management across the region.

Supports strict adherence to county laws to protect public and private land values.

- Supports strict adherence to county laws to protect public and private land values.

Plans to address housing issues by researching other counties' experiences, ensuring adequate staff for permitting and zoning, and recognizing it as a widespread problem in Montana, not just Lake County.

Aims to address housing issues by researching other counties' experiences, ensuring adequate staff for permitting and zoning, and recognizing it as a widespread problem in Montana, not just Lake County.

Plans to convene county representatives, tribal council, the governor, and legislators to discuss county issues, prioritizing Flathead Lake water levels, CSKT water compact, and affordable housing solutions.

- Aims to address housing issues by researching other counties' experiences, ensuring adequate staff for permitting and zoning, and recognizing it as a widespread problem in Montana, not just Lake County.
- Plans to convene county representatives, tribal council, the governor, and legislators to discuss county issues, prioritizing Flathead Lake water levels, CSKT water compact, and affordable housing solutions.

Opposes the increase in abandoned trailers along with the addition of illegal junk yards "littering our beautiful Mission Valley."

- Opposes the increase in abandoned trailers along with the addition of illegal junk yards "littering our beautiful Mission Valley."

Said, "I have bought coats, food, shoes for people who are needing a helping hand."

- Said, "I have bought coats, food, shoes for people who are needing a helping hand."

Max Krantz

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county level. These laws show up in tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay in property taxes, providing recreational amenities, and maintaining county property.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government, such as personnel management, communications, and appointments for advisory boards.
- County Commissioners in Montana are typically elected to 6-year terms in staggered years. Counties may change the Commissioners' term length if they wish. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district. 