Waushara County Sheriff Election Questionnaire

The Waushara County Sheriff position will be on the Tuesday, Aug. 11 primary partisan ballot. Three candidates are running under the Republican Party (Sam Wood, Lafe Hendrickson, and Zach Gunderson) and one candidate as a Democrat Registered Write-in (Nina Monacelli).
Each candidate had the chance to answer the following series of questions.

1. Why are you running for this position?
2. What do you hope to accomplish in this position?
3. Why should people vote for you?

4. Why do you feel you are qualified for this position?
5. What are the key issues you see and how do you plan to address them?

Sam Wood (Republican)

1) I believe the sheriff needs to be a voice of the people. The system is broken and needs to be fixed.
2) Bring back the voice of the people. Give deputies an ear that will listen and to make sure we set up a system that focuses on transparency and accountability.
3) If you want change, you should look for someone that is not a part of what you want to change for the past 15 to 20 years.
4) Over the past year I have uncovered the broken system. I have studied what the position of sheriff actually does. I have aligned with people that I believe in and know they also want change. All 3 candidates have never been a sheriff but are all qualified.
5) Open dialogue between officers, staff and community will help with transparency. Training – so officers are prepared. Change staffing duties so they are not top heavy. Be proactive with drugs and internet crimes against children and not reactive. Take part in community events and build a strong bond with the department and community.

Lafe Hendrickson (Republican)

1) Because our communities deserve professional law enforcement services built on quality leadership, integrity and compassionate care.
2) I hope to build public trust back into the office of sheriff. Transparency, accountability and professional standards must be impartial and intentional. I will focus on creating a partnership in caring for our communities by implementing proactive community policing strategies.

3) Experience matters. Proven leadership matters. Education matters. I am a Certified Public Manager with extensive police training. You have trusted me with the protection of your children in our schools, I am asking you to trust me with guiding the office of sheriff into the future.
4) I am a certified police officer for the past 29 years. A police instructor in firearms, defensive tactics, active shooter response, emergency vehicle operation and other areas. I have worked in every area within the sheriff’s office after working 23+ years at the WCSO. I have the established relationships to hit the ground running on day one.
5) Establishing the trust of the public. Holding professional standards and accountability. I will develop community based, proactive policy models that support building relationships.

 

Zach Gunderson (Republican)

1) I am running for Sheriff because I believe Waushara County deserves experienced, steady leadership that puts people first. After more than 20 years serving with the Waushara County Sheriff’s Office in nearly every role—from Correctional Officer to Detective Sergeant—I have the knowledge, experience, and leadership necessary to lead the department on day one.
Throughout my career, I have worked alongside deputies, communications officers, corrections staff, firefighters, EMS personnel, and community members during some of the most challenging situations our county has faced. Those experiences have reinforced my commitment to keeping our communities safe while ensuring the Sheriff’s Office remains professional, responsive, and focused on serving the people of Waushara County.
I am running because I want to build on the strengths of our Sheriff’s Office while supporting our employees, strengthening partnerships with local agencies, and ensuring every community in our county has a voice. As a lifelong Waushara County resident, I care deeply about the future of our county and am committed to providing the leadership, integrity, and experience needed to move the Sheriff’s Office forward.
2) If elected Sheriff, I hope to build a department our employees are proud to serve in and our community can trust. My priorities are improving recruitment and retention, investing in training, and promoting teamwork, professionalism, and respect.

I also want to strengthen partnerships with local police, fire, EMS, schools, and community organizations. Public safety works best when we communicate openly and work together.
Above all, I want to provide steady, experienced leadership that keeps Waushara County safe and leaves the Sheriff’s Office stronger and better prepared for the future.
3) Voters should choose me because I bring the experience, leadership, and commitment needed to lead the Waushara County Sheriff’s Office from day one. With more than 20 years of service in nearly every role within the department—from Correctional Officer to Detective Sergeant—I understand the responsibilities of the job, the challenges facing our employees, and the expectations of the communities we serve.
As a lifelong Waushara County resident, I care deeply about this county and the people who call it home. I believe in leading with integrity, professionalism, and respect while working collaboratively with our deputies, local law enforcement agencies, fire and EMS departments, county leaders, and community members.
I am committed to providing steady, experienced leadership, supporting our employees, and keeping Waushara County a safe place to live, work, and raise a family. I will always put the interests of our community first and work every day to earn the trust placed in me as Sheriff
4) I believe I am qualified to serve as Sheriff because I have spent more than 20 years with the Waushara County Sheriff’s Office, gaining experience in nearly every aspect of the department—from Correctional Officer to Detective Sergeant. Those roles have given me firsthand knowledge of corrections, patrol, investigations, supervision, and the day-to-day operations of the Sheriff’s Office.
Throughout my career, I have led teams, mentored employees, managed critical incidents, and worked closely with local, county, and state partners to serve our community. These experiences have prepared me to make sound decisions, support our employees, and lead the department with professionalism and integrity.
As a lifelong Waushara County resident, I understand the values and expectations of the people we serve. I am ready to use my experience and leadership to strengthen the Sheriff’s Office, support public safety, and provide steady leadership for our county.
5) The key issues I see facing the Waushara County Sheriff’s Office are maintaining staffing levels, supporting employee retention and morale, preparing for the challenges of modern law enforcement, and continuing to build strong relationships throughout our communities.
Addressing these issues starts with strong leadership, open communication, and listening to the people within the Sheriff’s Office and throughout the county. I believe we need to recruit and retain quality employees by supporting professional development, prioritizing training, and creating an environment where employees feel valued and supported.
I also believe in strengthening partnerships with local law enforcement agencies, fire and EMS departments, schools, county leaders, and community members. Public safety is a shared responsibility, and the Sheriff’s Office must continue to be accessible, responsive, and prepared to meet the needs of every community in Waushara County.

 

Nina Monacelli (Democratic Registered Write-In)

1) Our sheriff’s department staff deserve an ethical mentor/leader, our community needs transparency and law enforcement they can trust, and our tax payers’ request their dollars to be used responsibly. I can deliver all of these things.
2) I hope to accomplish: I plan to restore community trust by listening to the concerns of citizens and exhibiting transparency ex: press releases, community presence. I lead with integrity, honesty, and fairness by being an example for others. Staff and citizens will be treated with respect and professionalism at all times. I strongly believe in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, first responders, and other community programs both in our county and surrounding areas.
3) I am educated, professional, and respectful. I have strong ethics and lead with integrity including a “firm but fair” approach and open door policy. I have a well-rounded background in law enforcement, teaching, mentoring and leadership, municipal budgeting, and working with disabilities and social-emotional needs. I have been a Waushara County resident for 23 years and continue to invest in our community by coaching multiple sports with our youth, previous work on the establishment of Waushara County Animal Shelter, and most recently sponsoring Adopt-A-Highway cleanup.
4) My education consists of a Bachelor’s Degree in Administration of Justice and Master’s Degree in Special Education. I have a well-rounded background as my work experience includes 9.5 years as a patrol and corrections officer (outside of Waushara County and experience housing state inmates)- including Field Training Officer and Shift Supervisor, 10 years child support and paternity enforcement, and 7.5 years as a special education teacher / mentor. I have also spent the past 5 years as the Secretary/Treasurer for the Redgranite Area Fire District.
5) I would attack our drug problem by working with local sheriff departments that have undercover/task force operations and successful rehab programs. I would ensure ethical staff performance by reviewing policies and reports, and initiating additional training as needed. I would seek out additional options on addressing mental health resources as they relate to crime and suicide. I would apply my municipal budgeting experience to create and maintain a financially responsible budget.