Heino handily tops GOP challenger to lock in third term as sheriff

Incumbent Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino easily shrugged off his Republican opponent in Tuesday’s primary, clearing the way for his third term in office.  

With 17,841 votes, Heino topped challenger Evie Cahalen, who came away with 2,303 votes, according to unofficial results posted Wednesday morning. Heino and Cahalen were the only two candidates to launch bids for the position of sheriff this election cycle, meaning Heino will run unopposed in November.  

“The results last night were just an honor,” Heino said. “We’re ready to drive forward these next four years.” 

A room full of supporters at the Hampton Inn in Kalispell erupted in cheers Tuesday night as the results came out, Heino said. Though below his wedding day and the births of his children, the sheriff said it ranked as one of the top 10 moments of his life. 

The decision of the Flathead County Republican Central Committee to back Cahalen, a retired law enforcement officer from Maryland who now lives in Marion, initially worried him, Heino said. But the community support and campaign donations he received following the committee’s endorsement of Cahalen allayed his concerns.  

Cahalen congratulated Heino on his win in a statement provided to the Inter Lake. She also thanked her team and supporters who carried her through the election. 

“This was a tough race but worth every minute,” Cahalen said. “I’m very proud of the clean campaign we ran throughout this process, focusing on the issues and not on personal attacks. Integrity is what truly matters in any campaign, and this is what guided mine.” 

IN THE Republican race for Flathead County Clerk and Recorder, Sheena Sterling defeated Cheryl Hohman by nearly 3,200 votes, according to unofficial results.  

Hohman was also backed the local Republican Party, and Sterling worried how it would affect the race. But Sterling said she declined to go through the vetting process needed to secure the Flathead County Republican Central Committee’s endorsement.  

She disagreed with the direction it was going in and found it unusual for the committee to meddle in local primary races, Sterling said. 

She spent eight hours on Election Day holding a campaign sign near the Flathead County Fairgrounds in Kalispell as voters drove past on their way to the Trade Center polling location. Last night, she repeatedly woke up to refresh the unofficial results page on her phone. 

“I was incredibly nervous,” she said. 

As with the sheriff’s race, only two Republicans filed for the clerk and recorder position, meaning Sterling will run unopposed in November. Sterling described herself as ready to grab the reins.  

The last 22 years of working in the Clerk and Recorder’s Office, which includes eight years as the chief deputy, have prepared her to plunge into action, Sterling said. She thanked the voters of Flathead County, her family and her staff for supporting her campaign.  

IN THE contested Democratic race for Flathead County Commissioner District 1, Nathan Dugan came out on top with 5,621 votes, according to unofficial results. His opponent, Colton Little, came away with 2,871 votes. 

 Dugan will face Republican incumbent Brad Abell and Independent candidate Casey Malmquist in November.  

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.