Why I support Brian Heino for Sheriff

I am a retired Sheriff’s Captain with 30 years in law enforcement. I evaluate this race the same way I would any command-level hire: What relevant experience does the candidate bring, how recent is it, and what results have they delivered? 

Evie Cahalen points to 25 years in law enforcement, including time at the commander level. That sounds impressive—until you consider she has been out of the profession for 20 years. That gap spans most of Sheriff Heino’s career. Policing has evolved significantly in that time. Experience this outdated is not a strength; it can be a liability. 

Her experience also comes from Montgomery County, Maryland—a densely populated, urban jurisdiction of nearly a million people outside Washington, D.C. That environment has little in common with the Flathead Valley. Leadership that works there does not automatically translate here. 

She holds a college degree but has no experience working under Montana law or within Montana’s law enforcement system, and she does not hold a Montana POST certification. While the sheriff is technically exempt, the practical concern remains: she would be leading deputies with more current, locally relevant training and credentials. That raises legitimate questions about readiness and credibility on day one. 

I have listened to her speak at length. She is confident and polished—but often light on specifics. She has not offered clear examples of solving major problems, improving operations, apprehending offenders, or saving taxpayer dollars. After 25 years in the profession, that absence stands out. Assertions are easy; a demonstrated track record matters. 

More concerning are statements that suggest misunderstandings of Montana law and practice. In a radio interview, she proposed using the Sheriff’s Posse for drug surveillance—an approach that would not only be unlawful, but also reckless and dangerous. She also claimed the county’s “actual” jurisdiction should exclude National Forest lands. That is incorrect; sheriffs enforce state law on those lands. 

The job here is broader than patrol. It includes operating a jail, serving as coroner, managing an emergency operations center, and directing search-and-rescue operations. These are core responsibilities, and she has not performed them. 

This concern is heightened by the fact that county taxpayers have just approved construction of a new jail at a cost exceeding one hundred million dollars. This project will require experienced oversight in both jail operations and large-scale construction. She has no background in either area, raising serious concerns about potential cost overruns, delays, and operational problems that could put the project—and taxpayer investment—at risk. 

She has also suggested that deputies are undertrained or not doing their jobs properly. That is a serious claim—and one that requires evidence. Criticism without facts undermines morale, erodes public trust, and disrespects the deputies doing the job every day.  Is she relying on facts or secondhand complaints.  

This is a serious job with real consequences. At this point, Cahalen has not demonstrated that she is prepared to do it—only that she believes she can. 

 — Rep. Steve Kelly, HD9, R-Kalispell