Republican voters will choose between two candidates with different professional backgrounds and leadership philosophies when they select their nominee for Monroe County sheriff in the Aug. 11 primary election.
Chief Deputy Chris Weaver, a 28-year law enforcement veteran, and former Wisconsin Department of Corrections supervisor Mike Krause both say the county's next sheriff must address staffing challenges, combat illegal drugs and maintain public trust. However, they differ in the experience they emphasize and how they would lead the department.
Experience and leadership
Weaver spent more than 25 years as a patrol officer with the Tomah Police Department before joining the Monroe County Sheriff's Office in 2022. As chief deputy, he oversees patrol, the jail, dispatch, emergency management, court security and other countywide operations.
"The sheriff is the CEO of a highly complex organization," Weaver said. "It's not simply a law enforcement position. It's leading a 70-plus person agency with a budget of more than $9 million."
Krause spent more than 22 years with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, including supervisory and administrative positions. He said leadership experience is transferable across public safety professions.
"I think Monroe County needs a change in leadership," Krause said. "I’ve had that experience, Leadership is leadership, whether it's in corrections or another part of law enforcement."
Staffing and leadership
Both candidates identified recruiting and retaining qualified employees as one of the Sheriff's Office's greatest challenges.
Weaver said today's agencies must compete to attract qualified deputies, jailers and dispatchers.
"My goal is to train our people to a level where they could work anywhere, they want, but treat them in a way that they choose not to leave," he said.
Krause said employee retention begins with leadership.
"When people feel respected and supported, they're more likely to stay," he said. "Good leadership creates a workplace where people want to come to work."
Budget and taxpayer accountability
Both candidates said fiscal responsibility is an important part of the sheriff's job.
Weaver said the department must balance public safety with the financial realities facing county government. He pointed to a proposal that replaced contracted courthouse security with county deputies, saying the move both reduced costs and improved security.
"We have to explain why we're spending taxpayer dollars," Weaver said. "We've been successful in advocating for our needs while meeting the financial realities of the county."
Krause said efficient government begins with sound leadership and careful management.
"Efficiency comes from good management," Krause said, adding that public resources should be used responsibly while maintaining public safety.
Drug enforcement
Both candidates agreed illegal drugs remain Monroe County's most significant public safety concern.
"The biggest problem in Monroe County is our drug problem," Weaver said, adding that enforcement must be combined with prevention and treatment. "I don't think we can arrest our way out of the drug problem." He supports continuing Drug Court, expanding diversion programs and maintaining the D.A.R.E. program in county schools.
Krause agreed drug enforcement remains a priority but emphasized providing officers with the leadership and support needed to do their jobs. He also spoke about the benefits of DARE programs.
"We have to make sure our officers have the leadership and support they need to address crime," Krause said. "Enforcement has to be backed by good leadership and accountability."
Monroe County Jail
Although neither candidate called for major changes at the Monroe County Jail, they emphasized different aspects of its operation. Weaver, who oversees the jail as chief deputy, said the 10-year-old facility is operating well and credited staff for maintaining a safe and professional environment. "We're proud of our jail. It's in very good condition," Weaver said, adding that routine maintenance and responsible budgeting are preferable to replacing equipment before necessary. Krause, whose career includes more than 22 years in corrections, focused less on the facility itself and more on the people who work there. He said strong leadership is the foundation of a successful correctional operation, adding, "When people feel respected and supported, they're more likely to stay," and that good leadership creates an environment where employees want to come to work.
Both candidates spoke of old and broken laundry facilities that need to be replaced. 10 years of daily use has taken its toll on the washer and dryer. There was also mention of difficulty in repairing things like broken windows due to the budget.
Rural policing
The candidates agreed Monroe County presents unique challenges because of its location and geography.
Weaver pointed to Interstate 90/94, Fort McCoy, as factors that require close cooperation among local, state, and federal agencies.
"If you're traveling between Minneapolis and Chicago, you're probably coming through Monroe County," Weaver said. "That creates challenges you don't necessarily see in counties without interstate traffic."
Krause said deputies must be prepared to serve both rural communities and travelers moving through the county.
"We're not just serving rural communities," Krause said. "We also deal with interstate traffic and everything that comes with it."
Both candidates added that rural locations often do not have police officers leaving the Sheriff’s office to patrol and respond to calls in those locations.
Technology
Both candidates support using technology to assist deputies, though Weaver discussed its role in greater detail.
"Technology is a force multiplier in law enforcement," Weaver said. He supports continued use of drones, body cameras, Flock license plate readers and Next Generation 911 while emphasizing that technology must be balanced with privacy protections.
"We understand the privacy concerns," Weaver said. "But we've been very successful using these tools to solve crimes."
Krause also supports the use of technology, including Flock license plate reader cameras.
"They've solved crimes," Krause said. "Like any tool, it has to be used properly." He said Flock cameras have helped investigators identify suspects in serious cases while acknowledging the importance of using the technology responsibly.
Public trust
Both candidates said earning and maintaining public trust is critical to effective policing.
"We do our job with the consent of the public," Weaver said. "Maintaining that trust is critical." He said he would continue expanding communication with residents while protecting victims and ongoing investigations.
Krause said trust begins with ethical leadership.
"I've tried to run a fair campaign, and that's how I would lead the Sheriff's Office," he said. "I'm ethically and morally not going to attack people."
Both candidates admire Vernon County Sheriff Torgerson’s use of social media and would like to duplicate that in Monroe County.
Two different approaches
Although the candidates identified many of the same issues facing the Sheriff's Office, they offered different philosophies for addressing them.
Weaver emphasized experience and continuous improvement.
"The seven worst words for any organization are, 'That's the way we've always done it,'" he said, adding that change should be made only when it improves service.
Krause said Monroe County would benefit from new leadership and a different organizational culture.
"I don't regret running," Krause said. "People are starting to see how things work, and I believe Monroe County is ready for a change."
Both candidates said success as sheriff ultimately depends on the confidence of Monroe County residents.
"The public's responsiveness to the agency and retaining our staff" are among the ways he would measure success, Weaver said.
Krause said he would judge his success by restoring trust, improving leadership and building confidence in the Sheriff's Office. “I want to emphasize the fact that this campaign is not about me, but it's about the people of Monroe County and what they should expect and deserve from the sheriff that represents, serves and protects them,” said Krause.
Motivation
Asked what motivates him, Weaver pointed to honesty and professionalism.
"Nobody hates a bad cop worse than a good cop," he said, adding that integrity is the foundation of effective law enforcement.
Krause said his Christian faith guides both his personal life and leadership philosophy.
"I'm ethically and morally not going to attack people," Krause said. "That's how I believe leadership should be."
Controversy
In June, A challenge to Mike Krause's eligibility added an unexpected legal question to the Monroe County sheriff's race. Fellow candidate Chris Weaver argued that documents Krause recorded with the Monroe County Register of Deeds in 2008 and 2009 contain statements of sovereign citizenship that were incompatible with the constitutional oath required of a Wisconsin sheriff. Krause disputes that claim, saying the filings were part of a business-related sovereignty process he pursued years ago, do not affect his U.S. citizenship or eligibility for office, and no longer reflect his current circumstances. Monroe County Clerk Shelly Bohl dismissed the challenge to the candidacy of Krause, ruling that his declaration of candidacy is sufficient and valid and that his name remained on the ballot for the Aug. 11 primary election.
Krause had left his job with Monroe County after a situation with Sheriff Revels. On July 2, 2026, After being informed someone was seeking his personnel file regarding an investigation into that matter, Krause filed a lawsuit in Monroe County Circuit Court seeking to block the release of records related to an internal investigation conducted during his employment and resignation with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. Krause asks the court to prevent Sheriff Wes Revels from releasing the records until Krause has been provided copies of the materials and an opportunity to review them. Krause argues the proposed disclosure could cause irreparable harm to his reputation and privacy and contends he was not given sufficient information about the records slated for release. The lawsuit seeks a declaratory judgment, a temporary injunction and a permanent order preventing disclosure while the matter is considered by the court. Within 20 days of being served Sheriff Wes Revels, must file a written answer to the complaint. After that, Monroe County Circuit Court will determine whether to schedule hearings and when to rule on Krause's request to block the release of the records.
Krause said he resigned from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office to protect his retirement after concluding he was being singled out following his decision to run for sheriff. He said concerns arose after he was questioned about campaign-related conversations at work and after several officers he supported resigned, which he described as evidence of a hostile work environment. Krause said he feared he could be terminated before becoming eligible to retire and chose to resign rather than risk losing retirement benefits based on his years of state service. "I'm not going to jeopardize that for dirty political games," Krause said, adding that he believes he and several officers were unfairly targeted after he entered the sheriff's race. Sheriff Revels was not available for comment at the time of printing.
Sheriff Revels was reached for official comment on the situation
As Sheriff of Monroe County, I want to address a matter that has resulted in three corrections deputies and a corrections sergeant choosing to abruptly resign from their positions.
On April 17, 2026, an employee of the Sheriff’s Office reported concerns about political campaign activity taking place during work hours. Before the next shift on April 20, I met with the sergeant overseeing that shift and asked whether any such activity had occurred. The sergeant initially denied the conduct but later acknowledged that he had responded to questions about his campaign when asked by staff or inmates. I provided him with the relevant policies that prohibit political activity while on duty and emphasized that my objective was simply to ensure compliance with policy and keep politics out of the workplace going forward. After our discussion, the sergeant returned to work.
Following that meeting, I spoke with the three corrections deputies assigned to the same shift. I asked whether they had observed political campaign activity occurring on duty, and they confirmed they had. I explained the policy prohibiting such activity, clarified expectations moving forward, and asked if they had any questions. Instead, the deputies stood, stated they were resigning, and left the meeting. They did not report for their scheduled shift.
Because I had received information indicating on duty political activity had occurred, and because the sergeant had initially denied it, I requested that an internal investigation be opened to determine the extent of the conduct. Before the investigation concluded, on April 22, 2026, the sergeant sent an email stating he was resigning effective immediately.
The winner of the Republican primary will advance to the November general election.
Further information can be found on their websites at.
https://www.weaverforsheriff.net
https://krauseforsheriff2026.com
A Sheriff Candidates Forum will take place on July 14th at 6pm at the Sparta American Legion.
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