Monroe County Republicans participating in the primary process by voting on, or before, Primary Election Day on August 11th will get to help choose their Republican nominee for Sheriff.

Before considering the candidates, we should consider the scope of responsibilities. The Sheriff leads the Sheriff Department which is responsible for court security, highway patrol, county jail, the K-9 program, and emergency management for starters. Then things like civil process services, the warrant list, sheriff sales, training citizens in concealed carry, and unclaimed property notices get added to the list. The 911 Call Center, the Sheriff Reserve, and the Cadet Program are all included too. And the Sheriff has an annual budget of $ 9 million to prepare and follow and 70-plus personnel to manage.

There are two candidates for Monroe County Sheriff with few similarities but some significant differences. They both have an Associate Degree in Police Science and both are Monroe County residents. After that, differences start to appear as Mike Krause claims 22 years of law enforcement experience while Chris Weaver has almost 29 years.

Krause’s continuing education is vocational oriented in areas of Tactical Operations and Crisis Management. Weaver’s continuing education has included courses in leadership and supervision; SWAT Command Decision Making; and Security Planning. Weaver is a graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy.

Additionally, Weaver has been a certified instructor for numerous classes over the past quarter century. Many have been professional development for Sheriff Deputies and many have been for the public. He has also been a K-9 handler.

Krause’s professional experiences seem limited to the institutional and jail environments. After 7 years at the Lisbon Corrections Institution he spent a dozen years at the Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center in Mauston. This is a Department of Health Services facility for men who have a history of sexual violence and/or mental health needs; or found not guilty by reason of mental disease. The past three years he has been a Sergeant at the Monroe County Jail. He has provided training in this position.

Weaver spent his first twenty-two years in law enforcement with the Tomah Police Department where he was the night shift Sergeant for 18 years. He then transferred to the Monroe County Sheriff Department where he became the Captain of Patrol and a couple of years later became the Chief Deputy. As Chief Deputy since 2022, Weaver is involved in day-to-day operations across the Department. Weaver serves as the Commander of the Monroe County Combined Tactical Unit. He has successfully led Monroe County law enforcement teams to Dane and Racine Counties in times of national news making emergencies.

It is very clear to me that Chief Deputy Chris Weaver is the best choice for Monroe County’s next Sheriff. Check their campaign webpages, follow the news, and attend a candidate forum. I recommend a vote for Weaver in the Monroe County Republican Primary.