Filing opens for Lewis and Clark County sheriff, Commission and other local races

Two candidates are gunning for Lewis and Clark County sheriff and three are competing for a County Commission seat, according to Tuesday afternoon filings with the county elections office.

Also on the June 2026 ticket are the county’s superintendent of schools, treasurer/clerk and recorder, justice of the peace and attorney.

“It’s just Day 1, so we may see more come in," Lewis and Clark County Elections Superintendent Connor Fitzpatrick said.

The county sheriff-coroner is responsible for Lewis and Clark County’s law enforcement and administrative tasks, such as processing concealed weapon permits.

Incumbent Leo C. Dutton holds the title of sheriff and has filed for reelection, but a second candidate has announced his interest in running: Chris Norris.

Norris, a county sheriff's deputy under Dutton, hasn’t yet filed with the county elections office, Fitzpatrick said, but he’s filed with the commissioner of political practices and has launched his campaign on social media.

Meanwhile, a seat in the Lewis and Clark County Commission is up for grabs. The three-person body has one commissioner per district, and District #2 is represented by Chair Tom Rolfe.

Rolfe is running for reelection, and he is challenged by Undersheriff Brent Colbert and Jakob Miles of Lewis and Clark Public Health.

The other four races were uncontested as of Tuesday afternoon.

The superintendent of schools supervises other school leadership and is a hub of recordkeeping.

Currently, Katrina Chaney is the superintendent, but she had not filed as a candidate on Tuesday. Helena Public Schools teacher Reginald Hageman did file for the office.

The county attorney is in charge of the criminal prosecution of violations within Lewis and Clark County. County Attorney Kevin Downs is seeking reelection after first winning the job in November 2022.

The treasurer/clerk and recorder oversees five county divisions: accounting, clerk and recorder, elections, property tax and motor vehicle.

Amy Reeves, the current treasurer/clerk and recorder, is seeking reelection and is unchallenged as of Tuesday afternoon.

Finally, Lewis and Clark County Justice Court is headed by the justice of the peace, and it processes misdemeanor offenses, including traffic, criminal and animal control violations, as well as civil complaints.

Incumbent Michael G. Swingley is running again for justice of the peace.

Though filing opened Tuesday, candidate-hopefuls have until March 4 to throw their name into a race. Special districts in charge of rural fire and sewer closed its filings Feb. 4.

This year's primary is set for June 2, and winners will advance to the Nov. 3 general election.