Montana › Lewis and Clark County › Lewis and Clark County Sheriff-Coroner
2 candidates are tracked for Lewis and Clark County Sheriff-Coroner on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Leo Dutton and Chris Norris. Candidate information follows official Lewis and Clark County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
Incumbent Sheriff Leo Dutton is challenged by Deputy Sheriff Chris Norris in this nonpartisan four-year-term race. Only two candidates filed for the single seat, so both go directly to the November 3, 2026 ballot without a primary, per KTVH.
Leo Dutton has served 17 years as Lewis and Clark County sheriff and more than 40 years total with the sheriff's office, and previously worked as an EMT with St. Peter's Hospital, per KTVH. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 9, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Leo Dutton.
2026 priorities (per the KTVH)
- Continuing a focus on safety, service, and trust
- Finding a long-term solution to detention-center staffing challenges
Chris Norris has worked nine years as a deputy at the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office, with earlier law enforcement experience as a detention officer at the Cascade County Sheriff's Office, per KTVH.
2026 priorities (per the KTVH)
- Organizational change and new direction for the sheriff's office
- Addressing jail staffing shortages
- Expanding student resource officer programs in schools
Source: candidate campaign site, roster verified 2026-09-09.
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