With more than two-thirds of the precincts reporting in Wright County, and two of his hometown voting areas yet to report, North Wright County Today can confidently declare Sheriff Joe Hagerty the winner of this year’s race for Wright County Sheriff.
Joe Hagerty, Wright County Sheriff since 2011.
Hagerty, who is a lifelong St. Michael resident, held at hefty advantage with 30 of 43 precincts reporting at 11:20 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4. The former city council member, who ran unopposed for the sheriff position in 2010, led Hennepin County Deputy by a 38-point margin.
Hagerty had picked up more than 14,000 votes, or nearly 69 percent of the ballots cast so far. Braun, who hails from Otsego, was at about 31 percent with more than 6,000 votes.
Hagerty said his agenda for a second term includes tackling the rising use of synthetic drugs around Wright County, as well as opening new lines of communication with the public and the media around the county to keep residents informed. He said he’s looking forward to a second term, after serving more than two decades in the sheriff’s office as a deputy and captain.
Braun will remain with the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office.