KAXE contacted each candidate at least twice to invite them to participate in our Election Guide, using contact information submitted to the Secretary of State's Office.
Candidate responses have not been edited and are published exactly as submitted, including typos and formatting.
As necessary, our news team added contextual information clearly marked with an "editor's note" and in italics. We will make every effort to make note of inaccuracies if they come to our attention.
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KAXE's Election Guide includes contested races in communities with at least 100 people. 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 these races
The county board is responsible for governing its county, including by approving the budget. Generally, counties are responsible for the following: property tax assessment, tax administration, elections, record keeping, transportation, planning and zoning, solid waste management, environment, parks and water management, law enforcement, courts and health and human services.
County Commissioner District 1 is in the eastern half of the county, including the city of Wolf Lake. Erica Jepson is the incumbent. She is running for reelection.
The county auditor-treasurer has a variety of responsibilities, including tax administration, election administration and accounting.
The current auditor-treasurer is Mary E. Hendrickson, who is retiring.
The sheriff is a county's chief law enforcement officer, tasked with keeping and preserving peace.
The current sheriff is Todd Glander, who is retiring.
The winner of these elections will begin their four-year terms in January.
Click the tabs below to learn more about the candidates
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Incumbent
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Website: shanerichardforsheriff.com
Age on Election Day: 51
Community: Becker County
Employment: Becker County Sheriff's Office, Chief Deputy
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
I have 27 years of Law Enforcement experience, 26 years with the Becker County Sheriff's Office. Finishing out this term, I will have had 12 years as the Chief Deputy (Undersheriff), being the person behind the scenes helping run and advance the Becker County Sheriff's Office. Before that, I was the DARE officer for 9 years and held the positions of Patrol Sergeant, Field Training Officer, Defensive Tactics Instructor, and Patrol Deputy. I have also attended many trainings, including the MN Sheriff's Conference for the past several years, which teaches and trains leadership in the Sheriff's Offices across the state of MN to handle and tackle the tough issues facing our Sheriff's Offices statewide.
Why are you running?
I would not be running for Sheriff had current Sheriff Glander not announced his retirement. Being his Chief Deputy has been the greatest honor of my Law Enforcement career, and I am humbled by every opportunity he has provided me. During that time, he has allowed me to take on the projects and run with the ideas and dreams I have had over the past nearly 12 years.
With his retirement, it opens up that position to become the Sheriff of Becker County and continue the improvement and advancement of the Sheriff's Office in the direction we have taken it over the past 11 1/2 years. I cannot think of a more humbling opportunity than to serve the citizens of Becker County as the 27th Sheriff of Becker County to continue that momentum to help make the Becker County Sheriff's Office one of the leaders in the region and statewide.
Why should voters elect you?
I have the Knowledge, Experience, and Proven Leadership our citizens expect and deserve to lead Becker County in the future. I've also developed professional relationships locally, regionally, and statewide for issues that arise here, but may require assistance from local, regional, and statewide representatives and leadership.
Even before my 11 1/2 years as the Undersheriff, I have been taking on projects to improve our citizens' and First Responders' safety. Below is a small window into my many past accomplishments and capabilities.
*Implementing our ARMER radio system for all Public Safety in Becker County
*Implementing a new shared computer system for all Police Departments and Sheriff's Offices within Clearwater, Mahnomen, and Becker Counties, including WETPD, that allows for data sharing.
*Implementing our Squad and BWC systems.
*Implementing our drone program, as well as hosting a regional drone training to improve search and rescue operations for many area counties' drone programs.
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
Well, that is a tough question. There have been many men and women locally and regionally that I have admired and respected to help guide me in my role as Chief Deputy in the past. Going big, I would choose two and draw off the best traits of both Theodore and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Teddy was a larger-than-life great leader, sportsman and conversationalist, law enforcement, author, and just a salt-of-the-earth individual that helped shape America. However, I admire FDR for overcoming great challenges. I can’t imagine being paralyzed from the waist down with polio and being president through most of WWII and the great depression. There is something admirable about having the mental strength to stand strong (figuratively of course) and make the tough decisions that come with that position when you look at your cards, and you're holding both the WWII card and the Great Depression card......
What is the biggest challenge facing the sheriff’s office, and how would you address it if elected?
There are MANY challenges today, like funding, illegal drug trafficking, mental health, technology, staffing, low applicant numbers, AI, etc. I think mental health has surged to the forefront from the damage of today’s illegal drugs on the human brain, and MN’s inability to manage that caseload.
First, I will continue to ensure funding is available for our critical positions with drug and violent crimes task force Deputies, even if state funding ends as has been proposed.
Second, I will be one of the many Sheriffs within the MN Sheriff’s Association putting pressure on our state officials to increase funding for additional bed space for those requiring treatment. The shortages resulting in court-ordered placements in local county jails for long stays of up to a year is unacceptable. The state of MN must provide the level of service before it removed it from privatized mental health years ago.
Please describe your stance on local law enforcement coordinating with federal immigration authorities.
We MUST coordinate with all Local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies. Regardless of whether you approve or disapprove of another agency's mission, not coordinating when working the same area is dangerous and can result in safety issues for members of all agencies and the civilians we serve. Coordinating with all agencies (this includes FIRE, LAW, and EMS) in anything we do is important, so that if something happens, everyone is aware of the critical information necessary and can effectively respond together safely if/when needed. We do not want any staff or civilians negatively affected if we are not coordinating effectively. It also gives us a voice in how the operation might be handled, where our local knowledge and contacts may be able to achieve the same result more peacefully if we are involved.
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?
Communication and personal relationships. I have gotten to meet and engage with a lot of people in leadership roles over my years at the Sheriff's Office, and more were in my time in administrative roles, like meeting with other officials, working on large-scale projects, business meetings, etc. Many of these started as working with strangers who were other Sheriffs, Chiefs, supervisors, contractors, subcontractors, project leads, Department Heads, etc. After time, I considered them all friends. My personality is such that I feel if you can develop a good working relationship with someone while working, you build a trust in that you WANT to work with and for that person. I have always enjoyed working with partner agencies and try to leave them with a positive impression of the Sheriff's Office, me, and the efforts we provided for their agency.
How would you seek to address the intersection of mental health issues and criminal justice in calls for service and your jail?
I have had an active role in the technology and mandates affecting our PSAPs (Dispatch Centers) and the 988 mandates for transferring mental health calls to mental health specialists that do not require law enforcement response. We also currently work and coordinate with our Crisis Response Team for mental health-related calls for service, summoning their knowledge and expertise in handling mental health calls that we also must be part of. We also meet periodically to discuss calls and try to provide better responses to those we serve.
We recently increased funding through our medical provider, ACH to provide more mental health services for those incarcerated in our jail. We also have a release planner that assists in providing direction and assistance for those being released from jail so they have the services they may need when no longer incarcerated available to them if they choose.
Website: lukesweereforsheriff.com
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Age on Election Day: 57
Community: Riceville Township, Callaway MN
Employment: Becker County Auditor-Treasurer, Property Tax/Election Specialist
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
My 13 years of direct experience working in the Becker County’s Auditor-Treasurers office, makes me the best candidate for this position. I have developed a comprehensive understanding of the complex, moving parts that defines the department, ranging from financial management and State reporting, election administration, licensing, and property taxes. This tenure along with my hands-on background covers all aspects of the position. In addition to my county experience, I bring over 20 years of corporate financial background. I am also currently serving my 7th term as a clerk for Riceville Township. This unique combination of local government experience, financial knowledge, and customer service, proves my commitment to public service and its responsibilities.
Why are you running?
I want to ensure the Becker County community has a committed voice to ensure the integrity within their local government. I have experienced firsthand the vital importance of having a trusted leader in this position—one whom the citizens of our county can wholeheartedly rely upon with what matters most to them. Being in the Auditor-Treasurers role will allow me to play a part in process changes, office efficiencies, and candid lines of communication. I have passion to serve the public and know that I work for the people and will look out for their best interest. I am fully prepared to continue providing this dedicated leadership and look forward to guiding our team into the future.
Why should voters elect you?
Because of my life time work experiences and compassion for the public. To my core, I care about the people and am here to serve. As a taxpayer, ask yourself, when you come to the office for help do you want someone you can count on; someone who knows the job and is willing to take care of your needs? I will listen to you to get a full understanding of your questions. Questions that range from elections to legal descriptions, from taxes to surveys. I am not passive, but compassionate. In my current role, I regularly mentor team members, facilitate collaboration and drive projects forward. I influence and motivate the team. True leadership is defined by action and impact. With the roll of County Auditor-Treasurer, I can start day one. I hold a current tax certification, and election certification through the State of Minnesota, certifications I use daily.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
The Auditor-Treasurer is a vital position to tax payers. I think of it as the back bone to the county. We provide election administration, checks and balances, property tax management and personalized public service. This position statutorily ensures public funds are managed ethically and appropriately. Elections are carried out safe and secure and they are canvassed on time. This office maintains voter records and candidate filings, ballot printing and distributing; we follow state guidelines/statues. Licensing and Permits are issued within the standards set by statue. Property tax administration is calculated correctly; this includes levies and special assessments. The role also includes reporting done in a timely manner; such as Truth-in-Taxation notices and Auditor Certificates. This office also plays a part in managing tax forfeited land.
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
In my lifetime, J. Barry Griswell. A man raised in a single parent home. His mom worked three jobs and he worked at a young age helping make ends meet. Barry found comfort in the local boys and girls club, learning about team and winning. His height and drive earned him a basketball scholarship to college. There he learned about economics. Fast forward, he became the CEO of Principal Financial Group, a fortune 500 company, with a presence in over 18 countries. He made you feel appreciated and brought a winning approachable persona with him always. I admired his leadership skills and the fact that he was “real” and visible for employees, all while running a billion-dollar company. Mostly, I admired that he was a philanthropist. A man that came from humble beginnings, became successful, and never forgot to give back; encouraging others to do the same.
What is your opinion on economic development tax abatements or tax-increment financing?
I encourage growth when it is for the good of all. I understand this may come with risks, but those are calculated and governed by its board of directors. If a TIF is in place that can result in stable employment, retention, expanding business opportunities and housing options, it can have great growth results.
How would you ensure elections remain free, fair and transparent in your county?
I am state-certified and am deeply passionate about the election process. I administer training for election judges in our county. I will continue to provide critical oversight in the election process. I will follow state statue, educate, and communicate with staff and clerks. To ensure safety, I will work closely with local law enforcement and follow our current chain of custody plan. My commitment remains to serve voters fairly and impartially. I will lead by example and uphold my oath to the best of my ability.
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
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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