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.
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Voter Guide

Mower County Sheriff

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  • Candidate picture

    TJ Lynch
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Steven Sandvik
    (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 have more than 28 years of dedicated law enforcement service, including over 25 years with the Mower County Sheriff’s Office and more than seven years as Sheriff. My experience includes patrol, investigations, supervision and agency leadership. I have extensive executive, investigative and public safety training, including the National Sheriff’s Institute. I also serve in state and regional leadership roles, including Chairman of the Southeast Minnesota Violent Crimes Enforcement Team Board and service on Minnesota Sheriff’s Association legislative committees. This experience has prepared me to lead people, operations, partnerships and resources while continually improving services and responsibly serving Mower County.
My three priorities will be public safety, fiscal responsibility and strong partnerships. Public safety requires responsive, compassionate and effective law enforcement and emergency services. Fiscal responsibility means continually seeking efficiencies, grants and investments that provide value to taxpayers. Strong partnerships with communities, neighboring agencies and regional partners allow us to expand resources and capabilities while maintaining effective service throughout Mower County.
The Mower County Sheriff’s Office under my leadership provides timely release of appropriate information and clear communication regarding significant incidents and operational changes. We remain accountable to elected officials and the public while protecting information that is not legally public. We will continue to follow applicable Minnesota data practices requirements and public employment law while communicating openly and responsibly with the communities we serve.
My leadership style is experienced, collaborative, accountable and focused on developing people. I believe in listening to staff, supporting professional development and preparing employees for greater responsibility. I benefited from strong mentorship throughout my career, and I believe it is important to provide that same opportunity to others. Building capable leaders strengthens the Sheriff’s Office and helps ensure continuity of effective service to Mower County.
As Sheriff, I believe gun violence prevention requires collaboration, education and cooperation. Under my leadership the Sheriff’s Office works with schools, community partners, mental health and social service providers, and other available resources to identify concerns and support safe communities. We also enforce Minnesota firearms laws through responsible, thorough investigations while respecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners.
Under my leadership the Mower County Sheriff’s Office follows Minnesota state statutes, Minnesota administrative law rulings, and the Constitution regarding federal immigration enforcement. The Sheriff’s Office will continue to fulfill its responsibilities under Minnesota law while respecting constitutional protections and the legal boundaries governing the role of local law enforcement in federal immigration matters.
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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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