Boyer Steps In, Strommen Steps Out

According to the Valley County Clerk and Recorder's Office as of Monday, Aug. 13, Luke Strommen had removed his name from the running for Valley County Sheriff. Strommen was unable to be reached for comment as to why he pulled out of the race.

Strommen was placed on administrative leave on June 15, for an undisclosed incident being investigated by the Montana Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation. Since that time no update has been given on the investigation and no charges have been filed against Strommen.

Adding to the Sheriff race twists and turns, Deputy Sheriff Tom Boyer filed Monday as a write-in candidate for Valley County Sheriff. Boyer has been a deputy with the Sheriff's office since 2017, and prior to that worked in the county jail. Despite a lack of experience in law enforcement Boyer has considerable life experience. At 49 years old, he spent his young life working as a licensed practical nurse on the surgical pediatrics ward at St Patrick's Hospital in his hometown of Missoula. He also has experience managing a medical supply business worth over $3 million among other life experiences.

Boyer said that his motivation for entering the race stemmed from within the Sheriff's Office. Boyer described it in the following terms: "In looking at the situation within the office, working there, and with what you hear in the community; I don't believe the citizens of Valley County needed another choice, but they needed a better option."

Boyer said that after talking with coworkers and struggling with the "what do we do?" surrounding the campaign and the office he decided to file as a write-in candidate.

Boyer will take on former Glasgow Police Department Officer Joe Horn, who will be the only name on the ballot in November. That means Boyer will not only have to campaign against Horn, but will need to educate the public on the procedures of a write-in and how to spell his name if he is to have any chance at winning the election.

Boyer's entire interview with The Glasgow Courier will be available on the front of next week's issue.