NEW ULM — With a flurry of activity at the end of the filing period, the Brown County sheriff’s race became a four-way battle.

Chief Deputy Jason Seidl and deputy Jason Fairbairn filed for election just prior to the June 5 deadline.

Sheriff’s office candidates on the Aug. 14 primary ballot are Seidl, deputies Matt Ibberson and Jason Fairbairn and New Ulm Police Department Senior Investigator Jeff Hohensee.

Earlier in the day, Brown County Sheriff Rich Hoffmann filed an affidavit of withdrawal from the campaign after 12 years as sheriff and 26 years in law enforcement. He worked for 12 years with New Ulm Police and served two years as Morton police chief.

“I have decided that it is time for a new chapter in my life. It’s time,” Hoffmann said. “We have one grandchild and another on the way. I want to spend more time with family. Going forward, I would like to offer my full support to Chief Deputy Jason Seidl.”

Hoffmann said Seidl has been working alongside him running the Sheriff’s Office for 12 years.

“He has 24 years experience with the Sheriff’s Office and knows it through and through,” Hoffmann said. “He (Seidl) is the candidate that I ask you to support. I want to thank everyone for supporting me through the years. It has been a real pleasure serving the citizens of Brown County.”

Seidl, who filed for sheriff June 5, said he wants to continue to develop and successfully manage the Sheriff’s Office and jail. He would like to add a K9 unit and search-and-rescue drone as a county-wide resource and add a full-time emergency management director in the 2019 county budget. In addition, he’d like to add drug take-back boxes in Sleepy Eye and Comfrey.

“I was chosen as Brown County Chief Deputy in 2007 by (then) newly-elected Sheriff Rich Hoffmann,” Seidl said. “Through the years, we have worked closely together and have achieved many accomplishments that have kept our Sheriff’s Office current and able to better serve our citizens.

“Under my direction, we have attained a shared, county-wide record-keeping system. Our record management system is used by each county agency. We can view what is being recorded by other county departments. It is a positive arrangement for us all and has benefitted us greatly.”

Seidl said the Sheriff’s Office web page has an up-to-date jail roster and current list of active warrants. The public can leave tips on an untraceable tip line. In addition, the sheriff’s office and emergency management implemented the FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Administration) Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) and Nixle emergency warning systems used when emergency situations arise.

In addition, Seidl said the Sheriff’s Office was the first in the county to use body cameras, e-charging and e-citations, paperless filing of court documents.

Born and raised in Sleepy Eye, Seidl graduated form Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s and Minnesota State University, Mankato, majoring in law enforcement and minoring in corrections. After working at Prairie Correctional Facility, Appleton, he began working at the Brown County Sheriff’s Office in 1994, first as a dispatcher, then a jail programmer.

He and his wife Joleen live in New Ulm. They have four children who attend New Ulm Area Catholic Schools. He has coached hockey, baseball and football in New Ulm for 24 years and held office on several boards for those sports.

“I love my job and want to continue to serve the citizens of Brown County as sheriff,” Seidl said.

Deputy Jason Fairbairn has nearly 18 years of law enforcement experience. He worked for the Springfield and Sleepy Eye Police Departments for three years before becoming a Brown County Deputy Sheriff 15 years ago.

“I think Rich (Hoffmann) did a very nice job. I would become more involved in the community, which he did,” Fairbairn said. “I’m running a clean campaign. All sheriff candidates would do a very good job.”

Perhaps his biggest campaign plank is working with hospitals with the objective of adding drug take-back boxes.

“What most people don’t understand is take-back boxes need 24-hour surveillance that is fed live to our office,” Fairbairn said. “I’d like to partner with hospitals that have 24-hour surveillance so people can drop off pills when they go to the hospital if it’s possible. I think this could save taxpayer money if hospitals already have video cameras in place. Some people may not have time to drive to New Ulm or it’s just difficult for them to make the drive elsewhere.”

Fairbairn said he would like to partner with Brown County Family Services to help relieve the welfare fraud case load.

“We’ve seen it on the street,” Fairbairn said. “People have told me some people have two addresses. Why wouldn’t we put this all together.”

A Preston native, Fairbairn graduated from MSU, Mankato, majoring in law enforcement and corrections. He has been active on the New Ulm Junior Baseball Board, Knights of Columbus, formerly on the Rolling Thunder wrestling board and coached youth football. He served on the Bavarian Blast Board of Directors and ran event’s security for 10 years.

Fairbairn said he is board member for The Emerald Society of Minnesota, a non-profit association of Minnesota law enforcement officials who uphold and defend the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Minnesota. In addition, it promotes and instills in individuals of any ancestry the pride, courage, professionalism and achievement historically exhibited by Irish immigrants and further exhibited by Irish/Americans today.

His wife Tricia has taught English at New Ulm High School for 21 years. Their children are Jack, Emma and Addy.

Fairbairn’s other interests include spending time with family, yard work, hunting and antiquing.