Savaloja 1st, Scott distant 2nd in Wadena sheriff primary

WADENA — Wadena County Sgt. Bryan Savaloja and Wadena police officer Milo Scott will face off in the November election for sheriff.

The two led the field of five candidates in the Tuesday, Aug. 11, primary, with Scott (560 votes, 18.2%) in a distant second to Savaloja (1,333 votes, 43.32%).

The winner of the general election will succeed retiring Sheriff Michael D. Carr, who has served five terms in the role.

"I am humbled and honored by the results of yesterday’s primary election," Savaloja wrote on social media Wednesday. "This has been an incredible journey so far, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported, encouraged, and placed their trust in me."

"Thank you all of my supporters, family, friends and most of all thanks be to God," Scott wrote on social media Wednesday. "Without your help and prayers we would not be moving on the general election in November. I look forward to meeting with you and listening to your concerns and feed back."

Troy Wangsness, Cory Carr and Aaron Schiller, who finished third through fifth, respectively, also thanked their supporters.

Thor and Alycia Johnson of Huntersville Township in northeastern Wadena County voted for Savaloja. The Johnsons moved to the area three years ago, and Thor Johnson said he supported Savaloja on the advice of his cousin from Sebeka.

"She's like, 'Can I tell you who to vote for?' I'm like, 'Yes, 'cause I don't know any of these people,'" he said. "Honestly, through the parades and stuff so far this summer — I like him."

A husband and wife in Wadena, who declined to be named, said the sheriff's race was the toughest vote and the one they discussed most among themselves.

"I know all of them, and I've got great things to say about each and every one of them," the husband said.

"It was a hard decision, for sure," the wife added. " ... I think we go back to the values piece, the shared values, and ultimately what their campaign was all about. It's not really a person so much as the issues that they are running for."

In their responses to KAXE's election guide, Savaloja said the biggest issue facing the sheriff's office is succession planning, while Scott pointed to staffing shortages and the county's aging jail.

Savaloja led all but five of Wadena County's 24 precincts. Scott won in Aldrich, Nimrod and Leaf River and Red Eye townships, and Wangsness took Rockwood and North Germany townships.