Two local law enforcement officers are challenging current Wright County Sheriff Joe Hagerty in next month’s primary election for the right to move on to the Nov. 4 general ballot.
Hagerty, who has served the Wright County area over the past three decades, was elected to the sheriff’s position in 2010 after serving a number of years at a city council member in his hometown of St. Michael.
Hagerty has been a member of the department since he graduated the academy and was hired in 1985. He has worked his way up from deputy to captain and ultimately served as assistant to former Chief Gary Miller until Miller announced his retirement in 2010.
Hagerty became the 27 sheriff in the county’s 155 years back in January 2011, running unopposed in the 2010 election.
Challenging him is longtime Hennepin County Sheriff’s Deputy and Otsego resident Stacy Braun, a 36-year resident of the county.
Braun has been a member of the Hennepin County force for more than two decades, but was put under the spotlight back in 2008, when he was arrested near his Otsego home for DWI.
Braun told the Crow River News the incident, which made regional headlines, was the “best thing that ever happened to him.” He pleaded guilty to the charges, made his court appearances and went into treatment in 2009. He has been sober for the past five years. All of that change has led to him seeking the top spot in Wright County’s law enforcement division.
Also challenging Hagerty is Wright County Sheriff’s Deputy Bruce Doney, a Normandale Community College grad and member of the force here in Wright County for more than two decades. Doney has primarily served in the Delano area. His campaign address is listed as Buffalo.
Doney has a Facebook site here.
The top two vote-getters will move on to the general election in November.
Joe Hagerty, Wright County Sheriff since 2011.