Democrat Andy Hunthausen late Tuesday night appeared to be the winner of the Lewis and Clark County Commission race. At press time, Hunthausen led Republican Liane Taylor 15,807 to 10,187, with 49 of 54 precincts reporting.

If the official results show Hunthausen a winner, he will join fellow Democrats Mike Murray and Ed Tinsley on the commission, replacing Commissioner Anita Varone, who at times broke with her counterparts.

“I’m definitely humbled by the support,” Hunthausen said. “I’m very excited and thrilled … and I will do my best to do right by our county citizens and be fair and be a good listener.”

“I’m excited to move ahead and work hard to bring people together,” he added.

Taylor offered congratulations to her opponent and thanks to her supporters.

“I hope that Andy can go forward and do good things, and make sure everyone can be represented,” she said. “And be an independent thinker.”

Taylor, a real-estate agent, has said the addition of Hunthausen to the commission would alienate some residents, though Hunthausen said he wouldn’t always be voting with Tinsley and Murray.

Growth was a central issue in the race and the two candidates offered differing opinions on the county’s proposed zoning regulations, which may be shot down by a citizens’ protest.

Hunthausen has said the proposed rules aren’t perfect and need improvement, but he said he admired the “political will” of county officials to bring the issue to the table. Regardless of the protest’s results, he has said, the citizens and county officials need to work together to develop fair, sustainable zoning regulations.

Taylor said the zoning proposal was an example of the commission ignoring the public’s wishes.

Hunthausen, a Helena Middle School counselor, sought to broaden the race and often spoke about other issues affecting the county, such as rural health care, education, mental-health issues, water-quality concerns and roads.

He said he’s concerned about the closure of a health clinic in Lincoln and said the county should study solutions and perhaps partner with another entity to bring the clinic back.

In the coming term, he said, “land issues are going to be huge.” He also wants to focus on the needs of residents in outlying areas of the county — places like Augusta and Wolf Creek.

Larry Kline can be reached at 447-4075 or larry.kline@helenair.com.