The two Democratic candidates are Nancy Ortwerth and Tom Gunderson, both long-time law enforcement officers.

The winner of the September primary will run against Everett Muhlhausen, who has been sheriff for the past six years. Printed below are the three candidates’ responses to a series of questions.

Thomas S. Gunderson
Party: Democrat
Age: 42

Family: Wife Liz, daughters Megan and Molly

Educational background: Graduated from River Falls High School in 1982; attended UW-River Falls; hired by the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department in 1985 and completed Wisconsin Basic Recruit Training that year; additional training in several areas, receiving certifications as a firearms instructor and supervisor

Professional background: In 21 years with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department has worked as a dispatcher, jailer and patrol officer; patrol sergeant for the last 14 years; department’s K-9 handler for 14 years; member of the Sheriff’s Department Tactical Team

Organization memberships: Wisconsin Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs Association; U.S. Police Canine Association; current president and founding member of Pierce County Peace Officers Benevolent Association; past president of St. Bridget School Parent/Teacher Organization

Previous elected office: None

What would your goals be if elected? What would be the main focuses of your term?

There are three main goals that I will work toward in my term as sheriff: Open, positive communication with Pierce County citizens and officers; reducing costs while maintaining effective and efficient law enforcement; and significantly reducing illegal drug use/trafficking within the county. I will maintain an open door policy to hear concerns, as well as actively seeking the input of residents and officers. I will work to reduce costs by seeking out innovations and technologies that will help officers perform their duties more effectively. Drug use/trafficking can be reduced through educating our citizens and enforcing our laws.

Nancy Jo Ortwerth
Party: Democrat
Age: 40

Family: Fiancé Jason Hove, parents Judy Ortwerth and the late James Ortwerth, three sisters, one brother

Educational background: Graduated from Ellsworth High School; graduated with an associate degree from Hibbing Community College and law enforcement degree from Hibbing Technical College; attended Chippewa Valley Technical College for Wisconsin training; many other trainings to keep up license

Professional background: In law enforcement for the past 17 years; started working at the Ellsworth Police Department in 1989, patrolled and helped with investigations; Marquette County Sheriff’s Department, started two school liaison positions in both school districts there; started with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department in 1998, working dispatch/jail, then went to patrol; currently the DARE officer for the county; works DARE during the school and patrol in the summer; member of Emergency Response Unit; owns small business, See Saw Crafts Too (builds shipping crates for robotic arms)

Organization memberships: Working with Special Olympics to help raise funds; vice president of Wisconsin DARE Officer Association and a mentor for DARE nationwide

Previous elected office: None

What would your goals be if elected? What would be the main focuses of your term?

Goals would be to look at the budget and see what we could do to make it as efficient as possible.

I would also like to get our communities more involved to help our department. We need our county to work as a team. We need help from the citizens to make our department successful in making this a safe community. I want the citizens of Pierce County to be proud that they live here.

Main focuses are: Working on the budget, getting a grip on the drug problem and working on getting all departments and citizens to work together.

Everett Muhlhausen
Party: Republican
Age: 60

Family: Married to Sue (Erickson) 35 years, now deceased; current wife Barb (Fritz); children Chad, Christy and Cody; grandson Noah; step-children Jodie and Julie

Educational background: Graduate of Ellsworth High School; graduate of Covenant Bible College; St. Paul Vocational, civil engineering-route design; Chippewa Valley Vocational College, basic recruit; UW-Madison, law enforcement management; many federal and state training courses; trained at National Center of Missing and Exploited Children

Professional background: Pierce County sheriff, completing 6th year; member of Wisconsin Juvenile Officers Association, 15 years; instructor in boat safety, snowmobile safety for youth, narcotics identification and emergency management of radiation safety; instructor on youth issues in Pierce County schools; trained SWAT team leader and high risk management; past work experience as a small business owner; hired at the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department as jailer/dispatcher, patrol officer, recreational officer, juvenile officer, criminal investigator SWAT team leader, paper service and assisted in drug investigations; retired Emergency Medical Technician (15 years) Organization memberships: Wisconsin Circuit Court Computer System Task Force; Wisconsin Badger State Sheriff’s Association, elected treasurer; charter member of Wisconsin Homicide Investigators Association; treasurer and chairman of board for Lake Beauty Camp

Previous elected office: Pierce County sheriff; member Ellsworth Town Board, 16 years

What would your goals be if elected? What would be the main focuses of your term?

I have begun an in-house review of the department. Officers of the department have been asked to serve on a task force to review how things are done. This is an efficiency and cost saving review to make the Sheriff’s Department more effective and efficient.

Provide high quality training for each officer for better service to the citizens of Pierce County.