Rally held in support of two-term Flathead County sheriff after local GOP endorses his primary opponent

More than 100 people packed a Kalispell coffee shop Thursday to support Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino after the local Republican committee embraced his primary challenger.

It was standing room only inside Black Rifle Coffee as Heino’s backers filled nearly every table and chair, a few holding signs in support of his reelection campaign. Heino is running for a third term as sheriff.  

The rally was organized by Rep. Courtenay Sprunger, R-Kalispell, in response to the Flathead County Republican Central Committee’s endorsement of Evie Cahalen, a retired law enforcement officer from Maryland who lives in Marion.  

Cahalen and Heino will face off in the June 2 Republican primary. 

“If I were to ask what qualifies a man to serve this position, I would say cognancy,” Sprunger said at the rally. “There’s a man in the arena, day in and day out — that's Sheriff Brian Heino.” 

Former Kalispell Police Chief Doug Overman and Lincoln County Sheriff Darren Short offered comments in support of Heino, thanking him for his service and highlighting his reputation as sheriff. 

“I know some political decisions were made recently,” Overman said. “I was disappointed by that, because I know the man Brian is.” 

County elected officials at the rally said the central committee’s endorsement in the race was an unusual move. Heino told the Inter Lake he couldn’t recall the last time the central committee endorsed a candidate for county sheriff, including himself.  

“You’re asking yourself, ‘What did I do wrong?’” Heino said.  

His goal as sheriff is to serve everyone’s interests, not just those of a singular party, he said, and that appeared to be the source of conflict. Flathead County commissioners Brad Abell and Pamela Holmquist also made an appearance at the event.  

Abell, who sits on the central committee, told the Inter Lake he had advised the local party not to get involved with the county sheriff’s race.  

“I don’t think our central committee should be picking candidates in the primary,” Abell said.  

Report for America reporter Hannah Shields can be reached at 406-758-4439 or hshields@dailyinterlake.com. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.     

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    Community members turnout to a campaign rally at Black Rifle Coffee for Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino on April 2, 2026. (Hannah Shields/Daily Inter Lake)