Minnesota and North Dakota Voter's Guide

Forum Communications Co., in collaboration with the League of Women Voters of Minnesota and of North Dakota, is providing this voter guide to help keep you informed ahead of the 2024 election.

  • Learn where candidates running for office in your community stand on the issues.
  • Build your ballot before voting. Print or email the information to use as a reference when you actually vote.

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Voter Guide

Swift County Sheriff

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  • Candidate picture

    Mike Hoffman
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    John Reigstad
    (NP)

Biographical Information

Why are you the best candidate for this position? (750 characters)

If elected, what will your top three priorities be and why? (500 characters)

What procedures would you implement to improve or maintain transparency in the sheriff’s department’s activities? (500 characters)

How would you describe your leadership style and how that qualifies you for the role of sheriff? (500 characters)

What can the sheriff’s office do to help respond to the need for gun violence prevention and safe communities? (500 characters)

What role, if any, do you think the sheriff’s office should play in immigration enforcement? (500 characters)

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I am running for Sheriff because I care deeply about Swift County and the people who call it home. Our citizens deserve honest, accountable, professional leadership that communicates openly with both the public and Sheriff’s Office employees. I am committed to strengthening trust in law enforcement while addressing rural Minnesota’s challenges, including drug abuse, mental health concerns, and rural crime. I will support our deputies and corrections staff with the training, tools, and guidance they need to serve safely and effectively. Most importantly, I will listen, remain accessible, and put the safety and well-being of Swift County first.
My top three priorities as Swift County Sheriff, will be building trust and communication, strengthening the Sheriff’s Office, and being responsible with taxpayer dollars. I will lead with transparency and accountability, listen to citizens and employees, and support our deputies and corrections staff with the training, tools, and guidance they need. I will also carefully evaluate spending to ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently while maintaining public safety.
As Sheriff, I will make transparency and accountability priorities by communicating regularly with the public, county officials, and community organizations. I will provide updates on department activities, significant incidents, staffing, and resources while protecting privacy and active investigations. I will encourage community feedback, listen to concerns, and engage through meetings and events. When mistakes occur, I will take responsibility, learn from them, and make improvements.
My leadership style is built on respect, accountability, and leading by example. I believe in treating others as I would want to be treated and never asking others to do what I wouldn’t do myself. I believe a good leader listens, communicates, supports their team, and takes responsibility. As sheriff, I will lead with integrity, fairness, sound judgment, and a commitment to serving and protecting our community.
I believe preventing gun violence requires prevention, education, responsible enforcement, and strong community partnerships. I would strengthen relationships with residents, schools, and mental health providers to identify concerns early. I would support continued deputy training in de-escalation, crisis intervention, and mental health response, while promoting firearm safety and secure storage. My goal is to prevent violence before it occurs and keep Swift County safe.
The Swift County Sheriff’s Office should protect residents and enforce state and local laws fairly and consistently. Immigration enforcement is primarily a federal responsibility, and the Sheriff’s Office should not act as a federal immigration agency. Everyone should be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of immigration status. My priority as Sheriff will be public safety, fair enforcement, and maintaining trust so all residents feel comfortable working with law enforcement.
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The League of Women Voters of Minnesota and North Dakota crafted the questions sent to the candidates in the Spring of 2024. They reached out to candidates based on contact information in their public candidate filings. Candidates with email addresses were invited and reminded with emails. Candidates with only mailing addresses were sent a letter. Candidates with phone numbers received a phone call as well.

Candidate responses are published as they responded and have not been edited, except when responses were longer than the given character limit. In those cases, the responses are truncated.

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