Candidate announces plans to run for Missoula County commission in 2018

Next year's race for a seat on the Missoula County Board of Commissioners drew its first challenge Wednesday, even though the window to file doesn't open until the middle of next month.

In a press release, Josh Slotnick announced his intention to run as a Democratic candidate in the 2018 election, in which he'd challenge incumbent commissioner Jean Curtiss.

“Running a small family-owned business growing local food for Missoulians, teaching young men and women at the University of Montana about our environment, our responsibilities to one another as citizens, and supporting their dreams for the future, have all inspired me with an even greater responsibility,” Slotnick's announcement read.

According to his release, Slotnick moved from North Dakota to Missoula to go to college. He earned his degree in philosophy from UM before attending Cornell for graduate school.

Slotnick said he co-founded Garden City Harvest in 1995, along with the PEAS program at UM.

“Plans and protocols that may have worked 10 and 15 years ago need reality adjustments and a fresh perspective,” he said. “The changing climate and the changing social dynamics of our area unfairly reduce services for struggling families and individuals and those most in need.”