Don Bell
Republican · MT · Lake County Sheriff/Coroner
Don Bell has served as Lake County Sheriff and Coroner since 2015. Bell cites cutting the office's budget and finding new ways to ease jail crowding as key accomplishments.
Where Don Bell stands, based on their records
Supports
Public Safety and Crime Control (1 record)
Track record
Track record — Public Safety and Crime Control
Public Safety and Crime Control · 1 support
Testified to the Montana Senate Judiciary Committee on Senate Bill 127, which sought state money for Lake County's felony policing on the Flathead Reservation (Public Law 280). He said the arrangement worked well.
February 23, 2023Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: leaderadvertiser.com
Track record — General
General · 3 records
Had jail management moved out of his office when Lake County commissioners voted to give it to a separate administrator. A commissioner praised Bell and cited jail problems and inmate lawsuits.
May 4, 2026
Source: dailyinterlake.com
Was named, in his role as sheriff, as a defendant in a class-action lawsuit over crowded and unsafe Lake County jail conditions. The suit was filed for 38 current and former inmates.
April 6, 2022
Source: leaderadvertiser.com
Sent a public letter to western Montana newspapers defending his jail work after an election opponent criticized him. He said he cut overtime by 3,500 hours a year, saving over $100,000.
January 26, 2018
Source: newstalkkgvo.com
Past race Don Bell ran in:
- County Sheriff/Coroner · November 3, 2026 · Lake County, Montana · incumbent