Bauer wins county sheriff race

MINERAL COUNTY - Tom Bauer is already hard at work improving the Mineral County Sheriff’s Department.

Bauer won the June 3 primary election with 383 votes, compared to Rob Larson who was the runner-up with 229.

Since each candidate filed as a Republican, there will be no general election in November for the position. Bauer has been unanimously chosen.

With the campaigning behind him, Bauer can focus on what he wants to bring to the department in the not so distant future.

The day after the election, Bauer said he sat and interviewed with five county deputies and shot with them after.

“I’m getting plugged in already,” Bauer said. “Sheriff Ernie Ornelas asked if I would be a reserve deputy for the time being and I said yes.”

Undersheriff Mike Boone has had some shoulder problems and will most likely need surgery, which will allow Bauer to fill in as needed.

As for the election, Bauer was surprised he won by such a large margin. He said starting immediately with the department will help him get to know everyone better and learn the nuts and bolts.

“I was born and raised here so I know the county well,” Bauer said. “I know what it takes to be a small town cop.”

While focusing on his upcoming job as sheriff, Bauer plans to retire from the Montana International Guard, a position he has held for at least 29 years. Walking away from that in December will allow him to prepare to be a better sheriff, he said.  

Bauer built his entire campaign around the notion of curbing the drug problem in Mineral County. He plans to follow through on that promise after taking the reigns in January.

“I definitely want to get a drug dog up and going,” Bauer said. “The key is to find the right deputy to do that. If I can’t find one then I will do it myself. I really want to help clean up drugs in this community.”

Also, he wants to hit the schools. Ornelas has already applied for a Community Oriented Policing Services, or COPS grant, which would provide staffing in order for an officer to be present in Mineral County schools. If approved, an officer would be available on a rotational schedule between Alberton, Superior and St. Regis schools.

“The COPS grant was already applied for, we just need to get it approved,” Bauer said. “We will certainly reapply if we don’t get it. That’s the only way we’re going to get that officer. There’s not enough money in the budget.”

Bauer said a Youth Law Enforcement Summer Camp will also happen. Through the help of some grants, troubled kids would spend time with law enforcement officers as mentors doing outdoor activities like camping and fishing.

As far as transitioning from one sheriff to the next, Bauer anticipates a smooth one. He said Ornelas has been really helpful so that the department is in good order for the transition.