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KAXE's Primary Election Guide only includes races where enough candidates filed to trigger a primary. Visit our full list of who's running for office in Northern Minnesota to see who else will be on the ballot in November.
About this race
The sheriff is a county's chief law enforcement officer, tasked with keeping and preserving peace.
The current sheriff is Darin Halverson, who is retiring.
The top two candidates in the Aug. 11 primary will advance to the November ballot.
Click the tabs below to learn more about the candidates
Website: gundersonforsheriff.com
Age on Election Day: 47
Community: Bagley
Employment: Bagley Police Chief
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
21 years as a Police Chief
Why are you running?
To bring experienced leadership to the Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office
Why should voters choose you to advance to the general election?
Experienced Law Enforcement leadership
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
There is none at this time.
What is the biggest challenge facing the sheriff’s office, and how would you address it if elected?
Biggest challenge is retaining experienced officers with the department. I believe that our law-enforcement officers in Clearwater County need a higher wage and better training opportunities to make them want to stay in Clearwater County. in the end, working with the commissioners to provide better wages and training opportunities for deputies.
How would you build effective relationships with other agencies and offices, including tribal law enforcement, the state attorney general’s office and other county sheriffs?
I would continue reaching out and training with other agencies like I currently do to better foster relationships.
How would you seek to address the intersection of mental health issues and criminal justice in calls for service and your jail?
Need to continue to work with mental health professionals as well as state leadership to address the issues of mental health. To help provide training for deputies.
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Age on Election Day: 49
Community: In Clearwater County near Bagley.
Employment: Clearwater County Sheriff's Office as a Deputy assigned to the Bagley School District as the School Resource Officer.
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
Managed a large budget for a National Company
Mental Health Rehab Worker
Ten years in the Minnesota National Guard
Patrol Officer/Sergeant at the Bagley Police Department
Part-time Patrol Deputy for Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office
Jail Administrator for Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office
Vulnerable Adult and Child Protection Investigator for Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office
School Resource Officer (Bagley Schools) Clearwater County Sheriff's Office
Bagley Fire Department (9 years)
Copley Township Board (15 years)
Why are you running?
To continue serving the citizens of Clearwater County while building a safer and stronger community.
Why should voters choose you to advance to the general election?
I respectfully believe my professional law enforcement experience, my prior dedicated service to both our Nation and our community, my steadfast character, as well as my life experiences have prepared me to serve as your sheriff. If elected, I promise to strive to exemplify the qualities of service, respect and integrity.
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
Theodore Roosevelt. Anybody that can finish a speech after being shot.
What is the biggest challenge facing the sheriff’s office, and how would you address it if elected?
Lack of resources. I would work with the County Board and other community partners to find solutions.
How would you build effective relationships with other agencies and offices, including tribal law enforcement, the state attorney general’s office and other county sheriffs?
I would build onto the partnerships that are currently in place. The Sheriff's Office has agreements in place with local agencies, White Earth, surrounding Counties and State Agencies. Clearwater would continue to be active member iof the Minnesota Sheriff's Association.
How would you seek to address the intersection of mental health issues and criminal justice in calls for service and your jail?
The Mental Health Crisis in Minnesota is the largest problem law enforcement faces. The lack of available local and state resources exacerbates the crisis our state faces.
I would seek to increase the use of technology and other recent advancements for use in the jail. Increased training for Jail Staff that focuses on mental health, and cooperative agreements with treatment facilities.
Age on Election Day: 45
Community: Gonvick
Employment: Chief Deputy for Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
I have 24 years of Law Enforcement Experience with the last 9+ as the Chief Deputy of Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office. As Chief Deputy, I serve as second-in-command to the Sheriff, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Sheriff’s Office. My responsibilities include managing personnel, coordinating law enforcement activities, assisting with budget oversight, and participating in long-term strategic planning.
With 24 years of operational law enforcement experience, I bring proven leadership and a deep, working knowledge of how the Sheriff’s Office serves our community both on the street and behind the scenes.
I am also currently serving my second term on the Clearbrook-Gonvick school board and I am currently the board chairman, this experience has taught me more about public budget oversight and community relations.
Why are you running?
I have always desired to achieve the position of Sheriff in my Law Enforcement career and with Sheriff Halverson retiring at the end of this term, I believe that now is a great opportunity for me to continue to expand on the foundation of leadership and values that the Sheriffs before me have laid. I will continue bring stability and trust to the Sheriff’s Office and the citizens that we serve.
Why should voters choose you to advance to the general election?
Out of the 4 candidates that are running, I believe that I have the most relevant experience of overseeing the Clearwater County Sheriff’s office. With over 9 years as Chief Deputy, I have a current working knowledge of the Sheriff’s Office, Jail and employees. I was born and raised in Clearwater County and I’ve lived most of my life here. I’m committed to Clearwater County and the people that we serve.
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
Sheriff Darin Halverson, he has been a inspirational leader to Clearwater County and has brought a lot of great progress to the Sheriff’s Office, under his command, I have learned a great deal and I would intend to build on what he has accomplished.
What is the biggest challenge facing the sheriff’s office, and how would you address it if elected?
Mental Health of both the public we serve and of law enforcement officers, and those in related fields. Every day, we deal with people that are experiencing a mental health crisis and the State of Minnesota has limited resources for dealing with these issues. If elected, I would like to give my staff more training on how to deal with these issues on the street, in the jail and resources to help my staff in their own lives as well. Law Enforcement is a high stress job and we need to be able to help ourselves in order to help others.
How would you build effective relationships with other agencies and offices, including tribal law enforcement, the state attorney general’s office and other county sheriffs?
I am already an active member in the Minnesota Sheriff’s Association, and as such, I work closely with other Sheriffs in Minnesota, along with other Law Enforcement agencies within our area including Minnesota State Patrol and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). I also work closely with officers and administrators in local tribal law enforcement agencies as well as the Clearwater County Attorney’s Office.
How would you seek to address the intersection of mental health issues and criminal justice in calls for service and your jail?
I would provide more resources and relevant training to my staff on mental health and critical incidents, so they can better address these issues both on the street and within the jail.
Still have questions for the candidates? Contact information for all those who've filed to run for office can be found at candidates.sos.state.mn.us.
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