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.
Please contact our news team at news@kaxe.org with questions or comments or to report any errors.
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 auditor-treasurer has a variety of responsibilities, including tax administration, election administration and accounting.
The current auditor-treasurer is Allen Paulson, who is retiring.
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 winner of these elections will begin their four-year terms in January.
Click the tabs below to learn more about the candidates
Website: gundersonforsheriff.com
Age on Election Day: 47
Community: Rice Lake
Employment: City of Bagley, Chief of Police
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
I believe my experience in law enforcement, military service, leadership, and professional training has prepared me to serve effectively as Sheriff. I began my law-enforcement career in 2001 and have served as a patrol officer and Police Chief in multiple communities, including 14 years as Chief of Police in Royalton, Chief in Menahga, and currently Chief of Police in Bagley.
I also served 21 years in the United States military, including deployments to Bosnia and Iraq, retiring in 2018. My experience includes leadership, training, personnel management, budgeting, policy development, and emergency response.
I am a certified defensive tactics, firearms, and active-shooter response instructor and have completed the FBI Crisis Negotiator course. My combined experience has taught me the importance of accountability, sound decision-making, professionalism, and strong leadership qualities I will bring to the office of Sheriff.
Why are you running?
I am running for Clearwater County Sheriff because I believe our community deserves experienced, accountable, and professional leadership. After more than 25 years in law enforcement and 21 years of military service, I have developed the leadership, training, and decision-making skills necessary to lead a modern sheriff’s office.
I want to bring a strong focus on public safety, accountability, transparency, and building trust between law enforcement and the communities we serve. I believe the Sheriff’s Office should be responsive to the needs of every resident, support its deputies, and work collaboratively with other agencies and community organizations.
I am not running for the title, I am running because I believe my experience and leadership can make a positive difference for Clearwater County and the people who call it home.
Why should voters elect you?
I understand the responsibilities that come with serving and protecting our communities, managing personnel, and making difficult decisions when they matter most.
As Sheriff, I will be a constitutional sheriff who respects and upholds the Constitution, protects the rights of the people, and remains accountable to the citizens I serve. I believe in enforcing the law fairly and impartially while standing firm on the principles of individual rights, due process, and limited government authority.
I will lead with integrity, transparency, accountability, and professionalism. I will support our deputies, work with our communities, and ensure the Sheriff’s Office remains focused on protecting the people of Clearwater County.
I am asking voters for their trust so I can serve Clearwater County with experience, courage, and integrity.
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
James Madison.
As a law-enforcement officer and candidate for Sheriff, I respect Madison’s belief that the Constitution is not simply a document—it is the foundation that defines and limits government authority. His commitment to constitutional principles is one of the reasons I believe strongly in serving as a constitutional sheriff and protecting both public safety and the rights of the citizens I serve.
What is the biggest challenge facing the sheriff’s office, and how would you address it if elected?
Clearwater County faces ongoing challenges with illegal drugs, and I believe we need to be proactive in addressing them. One step I would support is having a dedicated drug task force officer focused on investigating drug trafficking and distribution.
Having a dedicated Drug Task Force Officer can build cases, develop intelligence, work with confidential sources, and strengthen partnerships with neighboring agencies and regional drug task forces. This allows the Sheriff’s Office to focus resources on identifying and holding those who bring drugs into our communities accountable.
Please describe your stance on local law enforcement coordinating with federal immigration authorities.
Clearwater County faces challenges related to illegal drugs and other criminal activity, and I believe the Sheriff’s Office should maintain strong working relationships with federal, state, and local law-enforcement partners. That includes working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Border Patrol when appropriate.
Strong partnerships and information sharing can help identify drug trafficking, organized criminal activity, and other threats that cross jurisdictional boundaries. As Sheriff, I will work to build these relationships while ensuring that our efforts remain focused on public safety and enforcing the law fairly and impartially.
I will also ensure that cooperation with federal agencies is conducted lawfully, professionally, and consistent with the Constitution and the rights of the people we serve. Our goal should be a safer Clearwater County through cooperation, communication, and proactive law enforcement.
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?
Clearwater County’s public safety challenges do not stop at jurisdictional boundaries. As Sheriff, I will work closely with the White Earth Nation and Red Lake Nation, as well as surrounding counties and local, state, and federal law-enforcement agencies.
Building strong relationships and open lines of communication with our tribal partners and neighboring counties will improve information sharing, coordination, and our ability to respond effectively to crime, drug trafficking, missing persons, and emergencies that cross jurisdictions.
I believe effective law enforcement requires partnerships. By working together, sharing resources and information, and respecting each agency’s jurisdiction and responsibilities, we can better protect the citizens of Clearwater County and the surrounding communities.
My goal is to build a cooperative regional approach to public safety, based on professionalism, communication, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to keeping our communities safe.
How would you seek to address the intersection of mental health issues and criminal justice in calls for service and your jail?
Mental health issues in our jail require a proactive and professional approach. As Sheriff, I would work to ensure inmates receive appropriate mental health assessments and that deputies and jail staff have the training to recognize mental-health crises and respond safely.
We also need stronger partnerships with mental-health professionals, healthcare providers, treatment programs, and county services. When appropriate, connecting individuals with treatment and resources can reduce repeat offenses and help people successfully return to the community.
Editor's note: LaCroix's answers were submitted as part of KAXE's Primary Election Guide. He did not submit updated answers for the general Election Guide, which included an additional question concerning coordination with federal immigration authorites.
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.
Please describe your stance on local law enforcement coordinating with federal immigration authorities.
KAXE did not receive a response to this question.
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: 46
Community: Clearwater County
Employment: Clearwater County, Chief Deputy Auditor-Treasurer
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
Accounting Degree, 25 years experience in the Auditor-Treasurer’s Office
Why are you running?
When I started in the Auditor’s office 25 years ago, my dream was to retire from the County. I want to be the next Auditor-Treasurer to bring in more revenue, keep taxes low and expenses down.
Why should voters elect you?
With my 25 years of experience and the knowledge I possess of the workings of the Auditor-Treasurer’s office I am the best candidate choice. I believe that all Auditor-Treasurer’s should have an accounting degree and experience to do the job correctly and efficiently.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
The Auditor-Treasurer’s position in Clearwater County is responsible for elections, tax calculations, collecting current and delinquent taxes, tax settlements, monthly and yearly financial statements, investment of county money, budgets, levies, and many more duties.
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
I admire anyone in the public government sector. Being involved in government business is a challenging position to be in, but it is an awarding one when the job is done well.
What is your opinion on economic development tax abatements or tax-increment financing?
As challenging as they are to implement in the tax system, they are an asset for the business and individuals that need them.
How would you ensure elections remain free, fair and transparent in your county?
We follow all the State and Federal laws regarding elections. We are open to everyone who wants to come watch the process and learn about elections. We are always available to answer questions and explain how the process works.
Age on Election Day: 33
Community: Clearwater County - just south of Bagley
Employment: Clearwater County, Deputy Assessor - Certified Minnesota Assessor
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
I previously worked between the offices of Auditor/Treasurer & Recorder for Pennington County. That experience, paired with my current role in the Assessor's office, gives me a good understanding of how all of those offices must work together to best serve the public. Aside from county employment, I have a lengthy background in the service industry performing many functions - waiting tables, bartending, training new staff, opening new stores, & local business marketing, to name a few. I also have 5+ years of sales experience where I was both customer facing & worked closely with internal departments to ensure seamless transactions. My various roles throughout the years have well prepared me to perform to the various functions of County Auditor/Treasurer.
Why are you running?
Many of the duties performed by county offices are assigned & outlined by Minnesota state statutes - I am running because I care about the small details that happen between those outlined duties. While it is important for each county office to separately perform their functions to provide checks & balances, it is equally important that the offices collaborate to provide services for the public. As a county employee, I want to work in a collaborative environment where we all come together to better serve our community. As the elected Auditor/Treasurer, I will strive to bring about change to create that environment where all offices work more cohesively together.
Why should voters elect you?
I grew up in this community & I came back as an adult to raise my family here. I enjoy connecting with people & am capable of thoroughly explaining county processes to those asking questions. I work with people to help them find answers instead of passing them along to the next person. If elected, I will continue to be a resource to the public as my knowledge of Clearwater County processes deepens & expands throughout the years. Our voters should elect someone willing to engage with their community & assist them as needed - I will be that person when elected to the role of County Auditor/Treasurer.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
MN statutes govern the duties of most county roles, including that of the Auditor/Treasurer’s office. The County Auditor/Treasurer is the chief financial officer for the county & head of their office. The office is responsible for: tabulating levies & special assessments, collecting property taxes, receipting all county funds, processing deed & mortgage tax payments, storing all tax rolls back to 1903, and conducting primary & general elections.
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
George Washington. He emphasized public duty, careful record keeping, and respect for law & the limits of law. As an elected Auditor/Treasurer, I would strive to hold the public's trust via accurate record keeping, consistent treatment of everyone, and accountability of both the public & all county employees. Fairness & accuracy should guide the work of the office, and every county resident deserves the same respectful service.
What is your opinion on economic development tax abatements or tax-increment financing?
My opinion is that all economic decisions for the county should be made with input from the elected county commissioners. Each proposal should be evaluated for its costs, long-term benefits, and impact on existing taxpayers. My priority would be transparency & accountability when managing public funds.
How would you ensure elections remain free, fair and transparent in your county?
By ensuring that myself & all qualified election staff are trained to the highest degree to carry out the functions needed during elections.
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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