Darren Short
Republican · MT · Lincoln County Sheriff
Darren Short is the Lincoln County Sheriff, first elected in 2018, after years as a Libby police sergeant and county narcotics detective. He also sits on the board of the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association.
Where Darren Short stands, based on their records
Supports
Public Safety and Crime Control (2 records)
Track record
Track record — Public Safety and Crime Control
Public Safety and Crime Control · 2 support
Defended his office's $4.57 million budget before county commissioners facing a shortfall. He said closing the county jail was out of the question and opposed cutting a Eureka deputy post.
August 25, 2020Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: thewesternnews.com
Asked county commissioners to replace the sheriff's worn-out dispatch and radio system. Commissioners approved $848,014 from federal land payments (PILT) for the upgrade.
October 30, 2019Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: lincolncountymt.us
Track record — General
General · 4 records
Cut his office's fuel, supply and ammunition spending to meet a $500,000 budget cut target in the 2025 county budget. A $75,000 jail camera upgrade was dropped.
September 10, 2024
Source: thewesternnews.com
Asked county commissioners not to take a $31,000 cost overrun on the countywide radio upgrade solely out of the sheriff's budget, since all county services use the system.
October 6, 2021
Source: thewesternnews.com
Lost a lawsuit against his office (Ramon v. Short) at the Montana Supreme Court. The court ruled the sheriff had no state authority to keep jail inmates past release just because federal immigration agents asked.
March 25, 2020
Source: aclumontana.org
Was sworn in as Lincoln County Sheriff by District Judge Matt Cuffe after winning the 2018 election.
December 19, 2018
Source: thewesternnews.com
Past race Darren Short ran in:
- County Sheriff · November 3, 2026 · Lincoln County, Montana · incumbent