Four Sheriff Candidates Discuss Priorities at Clearwater County Forum

With the August 11 primary election just days away, voters had an opportunity last Sunday to hear from the four candidates seeking the office of Clearwater County sheriff during a public forum at the Bagley High School auditorium. The candidates included; Adam Gunderson, Clarence LaCroix, Vern Wittenberg, and Larry Johnson. The forum was moderated by Bridget Moore, Managing Editor of the Farmers Independent.

The guidelines for the forum were explained clearly before the event began. Candidates responded to six predetermined questions in rotating order, followed by questions submitted by the public prior to the event. No questions were taken from the audience during the forum.

The discussion focused on staffing and countywide coverage, working with the Clearwater County Attorney’s Office, jail operations, school resource officers, arrest strategies, de-escalation, and community relations.

One theme emerged consistently throughout the evening: recruitment and retention of qualified deputies remains the county’s greatest operational challenge. All four candidates identified attracting and retaining staff as a top priority if elected. They also emphasized the importance of ongoing training in areas such as mental health response, de-escalation techniques, and determining the appropriate level of force for various situations. Maintaining adequate law enforcement coverage throughout the county was another concern shared by all of the candidates.

Beyond staffing, finances, and countywide coverage, the candidates expressed similar views on strengthening relationships with the community. They discussed improving communication with residents, attending community events such as the Clearwater County Fair, and working more closely with local organizations. These efforts, they said, would provide opportunities for deputies and residents to get to know one another outside of emergency situations, helping to build trust and strengthen community relationships.

A complete transcript and video of the forum will be available online at clearwatergop.com.

Remember to vote Tuesday August 11, 2026.