Wadena County 2026 Election Guide

Contributed

Age on Election Day: 40

Community: Rural Staples

Employment: I am a Sergeant with the Wadena County Sheriff’s Office

Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.

I have been with the Sheriff’s Office for nearly 20 years, with 11 of those at the rank of Sergeant. Over my 11+ years as Sergeant, I have supervised the jail and 911 dispatch division, court security, patrol operations, Emergency Management, and investigations. I have 11 years budget management experience and have also authored grants that have brought 1.3 million dollars to Wadena County. I have firsthand leadership experience over my career, and have bolstered my knowledge with advanced leadership classes, including the FBI’s LEEDA trilogy, which are all week-long courses that focus on different levels of law enforcement leadership.

Why are you running?

I am running for Sheriff because I truly care about Wadena County and the Sheriff’s Office that I have been proud to serve for nearly two decades. I want to continue moving the Sheriff’s Office forward and believe I can hit the ground running in January if elected. This was not a decision I made lightly or simply because the current Sheriff announced his retirement. If I did not believe I was the best person to lead the Sheriff’s Office and serve the people of Wadena County, I would not have filed to run for office.

Why should voters elect you?

I have the experience within the Sheriff’s Office and understand the day-to-day operations required to keep it running effectively. I have been working toward this goal for most of my career and have been deeply committed to serving Wadena County since day one. If elected, I am not looking to make big, expensive changes within the office. I understand how tight budgets are, both for the Sheriff’s Office and for the residents of Wadena County. I will continue to operate within our means, making the most of every taxpayer dollar while maintaining the high level of service our communities expect and deserve.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

There are many quality leaders, but I need to highlight the current Wadena County Sheriff Michael D. Carr. Sheriff Carr was elected in 2006 and took a chance on me as a young recruit fresh out of college. Sheriff Carr has led by example throughout my career and persevered through the challenges that came up. Under his guidance, I have been fortunate to grow as a deputy and later a supervisor within his office. For a small county, Wadena County has had its share of trauma. From natural disasters to serious crimes, Sheriff Carr has always shown up to lead through the incident. Even after announcing his retirement, Sheriff Carr is still 100% involved in daily operations, which is commendable and respectable. The “why” speaks for itself in that it is my full intention to continue the legacy and respect built under Sheriff Carr’s guidance over the last two decades.

What is the biggest challenge facing the sheriff’s office, and how would you address it if elected?

A big issue facing many law enforcement agencies, including Wadena County, is succession planning. With retirements on the horizon in many agencies, we must continue to be forward-thinking. In my current position, I have sought grant funding to employ law enforcement students for summer internships. This not only gives students a firsthand insight into the career, but it also allows for a “first look” for the agency to evaluate prospective future employees. This includes patrol positions as well as jail/dispatch. While the Sheriff does not have a direct say in wages, it is important to remain competitive with neighboring agencies so we’re able to retain quality employees. The employees are who make the Sheriff’s Office what it is which is why retention and recruitment are such important aspects.

Please describe your stance on local law enforcement coordinating with federal immigration authorities.

Throughout this campaign, I have made it clear that I fully support legal immigration. What I don’t support is individuals coming to our country illegally and committing crimes that affect our daily lives and introducing poison that get our citizens addicted and/or killing them through their addictions. As for federal immigration enforcement, I believe collaboration and information sharing is paramount. As Sheriff, I will not interfere with federal operations and would work to ensure everyone’s safety. This is where information sharing is critically important so as not to put any law enforcement or citizens in harm’s way during any operations.

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?

In a smaller county, relationships with partner agencies are paramount. Our agencies already work well together and I would make it a priority to keep that at the forefront. We need to work together to maximize the resources we all have and continue to help each other when needed. The Sheriff also needs to work with all departments of county government to include the County Attorney, Administration and the County Board. We already have good relationships built and I look to continue those moving forward. Throughout my career, I have heard the phrase “No Sheriff Stands Alone” and have seen that in action. Whether it is Wadena County sending deputies to help another county, or our requests for assistance being fulfilled, the phrase holds true and I would absolutely continue that with Sheriffs across the state.

How would you seek to address the intersection of mental health issues and criminal justice in calls for service and your jail?

We have already taken strides to bridge this gap. During my time as Jail Administrator, a pilot program was introduced that put a dedicated social worker in the jail utilizing grant funding. With resounding success in the pilot phase, this became a permanent position through a partnership with Wadena County Human Services. This position meets with inmates and when practical, assists with getting into treatment programming. This worker also meets with individuals after their release with the hope being to reduce re-incarceration. When safe, the worker will co-respond with law enforcement in an attempt to keep people out of jail and point them toward resources they need to succeed. More recently, another grant-funded pilot program was introduced in the Wadena County Jail which allows a mental health provider to come into the jail weekly to assist with medication management and other mental health concerns.

Contributed

Editor's note: Scott'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 authorities.

Age on Election Day: 53

Community: Wadena County

Employment: Wadena Police Department Police Officer

Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.

I graduate from Alexandria Technical Collage with an Associate degree in Criminal Justice, I also gained valuable Leadership skills in National Guard. I was a previous Scoutmaster in the Wadena Boy Scout Troop and Treasure of my church board. Prior to my Law Enforcement career, I was a shift supervisor at a manufacturing plant.

Why are you running?

I am running for Wadena County Sheriff because I believe that our residence deserves strong public safety services that are effective, fiscally responsible and sustainable for the future.

Why should voters elect you?

I believe voters should vote for me because I believe in transparent leadership, community engagement and accountability at every level while continuing to uphold the United States Constitution.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

I admire Abraham Lincoln because he was a great leader that led the union forces to victory and he played a major role in the abolishment of slavery and issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Lincoln also promoted the 13 Amendment to the United States Constitution abolishing slavery.

What is the biggest challenge facing the sheriff’s office, and how would you address it if elected?

The sheriff's office faces real challenges such as staffing shortages and an ageing jail facility. I would try to address this by appointing a deputy to search out grants to assist in repairs and updates for the facility that are financially responsible for the taxpayers of the county.

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 effective relationships with other agencies buy extending quarterly training opportunities and meetings.

How would you seek to address the intersection of mental health issues and criminal justice in calls for service and your jail?

Communities are faced with interactions with metal health issues on a large majority of calls because of the closing of state hospitals and in-patient treatment centers. Law Enforcement needs to have a strong working relationship with local hospitals, criss teams and social workers to give as much assistance to people in criss without resorting to place them in jails.