Randy Donahue
What position you are vying for and why you feel you are qualified:
I am a candidate for the Office of Murray County Sheriff. Over my 34-year professional career, I have worked with local, county, state and federal law enforcement. Twelve years were with the Murray County Sheriff’s Office and for seven of those years I served as the Chief Deputy Sheriff. Because I’ve developed trust throughout the law enforcement community, I have been endorsed by public safety professionals from across the state of Minnesota. I have experience in the Sheriff’s Office and with statewide law enforcement issues, making me the right choice to hit the ground running on day one for the citizens of Murray County.
Experience for office sought:
Having a bachelor’s degree and holding law enforcement certifications in multiple states, I have managed multi-million-dollar budgets and complex project management. My background in successful grant writing brought hundreds of thousands of dollars to Murray County, and my understanding of new and emerging technologies makes me a clear choice for Sheriff. Learn more at www.randyforsheriff.com.
Family, if you so choose to list them:
I have been married to Lorna, for 28 years. She is a graduate of Fulda High School and also works to serve people as an ER Nurse at Sanford Worthington Medical Center. We have two grown children, Emily and Kyle, both graduates of Fulda High School.
Paul Kenney
What position you are vying for and why you feel you are qualified:
I am running for Murray County Sheriff. Eighteen of my last twenty years in law enforcement, I have served as Chief of Police for the City of Fulda. During my time as Chief, I have gained several skills including fiscal responsibility, staff management and community engagement. In working with law enforcement agencies in the county, I have noticed several of these areas are currently lacking in the Sheriff’s Office. I believe my experience as Chief, along with my involvement in several outside organizations qualify me to undertake the important issues that Murray County is now facing. I will regain the confidence, trust, and integrity that the office should hold.
Experience for office sought:
I have been in law enforcement for 20 years, 18 of those years I have been Chief of Police for the City of Fulda. Being Chief has given me experience managing and working with staff and departmental budgets. I am a graduate of the Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) Command Academy. I am also an active member of both the Southwest Chiefs of Police Association and the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association. I actively serve on the board of the Buffalo Ridge Drug Task Force alongside being a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Medical Death Investigator.
Family, if you so choose to list them:
I have been married for 25 years to my beautiful wife, Roxanne. We have two beautiful daughters: Taylor and Allison.
Jeremy Steinle
What position you are vying for and why you feel you are qualified:
I am running for Murray County Sheriff and am well qualified for this position. In 13 years of working as a police officer for the City of Slayton, I have developed positive relationships with numerous community members and organizations. I have held several leadership positions with different organizations throughout my life and have always contributed in a positive manner. I am committed to keeping Murray County a great place to live and raise a family, making strides in the right direction to ensure that all citizens, visitors and employees of our county are treated in a fair, professional and respectful manner. I have always publicly and strongly stood up for those who have been treated unfairly and will continue to do so. I believe in transparency in government operations and am an effective communicator. I have experience going to the board of commissioners and conveying my message in a professional manner that they understand and that gets results. I believe a better system of trust needs to be developed and I am prepared to help facilitate that.
Experience for office sought:
In 2003, I earned my A.A.S Degree in Criminal Justice from Iowa Lakes Community College and in 2005, earned my A.A.S. Degree in Law Enforcement from Minnesota West. While attending Iowa Lakes, I volunteered as a Reserve Officer for the Estherville, IA Police Department. I also worked as a part-time dispatcher for the Murray County Sheriff’s Office. After graduating from Minnesota West, I started working as a full-time police officer for the City of Slayton, along with being a part-time deputy in Murray County from 2005-2008 and part-time officer in Fulda. I have governmental leadership experience as a past member of the City of Slayton Planning and Zoning board and Murray County Central School Board. I am a past president and board member of the Beaver Creek Archery club and current secretary/treasurer of the Murray County Chapter of Pheasants Forever. I am a member of the United States Navy, currently serving as an Aerographer’s Mate, performing my reserve drilling obligations at Navy Operational Support Center Sioux Falls. Through the Navy, I have been able to witness exceptional leadership and have learned numerous techniques to accomplish a mission.
Family, if you so choose to list them:
I am married and have 2 fantastic sons. My amazing wife Melanie is an accountant at Prahm Construction and helps me run our business, Aspen Hill Gun Dogs. Our oldest son Austin is a 2015 graduate of Murray County Central. He is an Engineman Second Class Petty Officer in the United States Navy and currently stationed in San Diego, CA aboard LPD 26, the USS John P. Murtha. Our youngest son Logan will be a freshman at Murray County Central this year. He participates in football, knowledge bowl and track. They are all extremely supportive of my career and push me to work hard and always do what I feel is right.
Steve Telkamp
What position you are vying for and why you feel you are qualified:
I am currently the county sheriff and have been elected by the citizens of Murray County to hold this position for 16 years, (4 consecutive terms)
Experience for office sought:
I began my law enforcement career in 1995 and was employed by Murray County as a patrol deputy in 1999. I worked as a patrol deputy for Murray County until the sitting sheriff retired in 2003 and I was elected as Murray County Sheriff. I have had the opportunity to assemble and lead an exceptional team of patrol deputies, dispatchers/jailers, jail administrator and administrative support staff. Together we work as a team to accomplish a goal or task within Murray County as well as collaborating with agencies outside of Murray County. I have also had the opportunity to bring Emergency Management under the auspice of the sheriff’s office. This has been a successful transition and provided a seamless and efficient communication between the sheriff’s office and emergency management. I have been dedicated to the citizens of Murray County. As the elected sheriff, there is no “time clock” I am available to my staff and citizens of Murray County 24/7. Over the past 16 years, I have brought new technology including the ARMER radio system, computer aided dispatch, and an upgraded records management system to the sheriff’s office. I maintain organizational records as required by state and federal regulatory agencies for not only the sheriff’s office, but also the sheriff’s office staff.
Family, if you so choose to list them:
My family consists of my supportive fiancé Dee, who is a Registered Nurse and Respiratory Therapist at Sanford Worthington. We are excited to be getting married on August 25th, 2018. I have 3 boys, Tyler who lives in Slayton and recently graduated from Dakota State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in chemistry. Tyler works in the quality assurance department at Monogram Meat Snacks in Chandler, MN. Nathan attends Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown, SD for automotive technology. Nathan will graduate the spring of 2019. Caleb, who lives with his mother in Fairmont will be in 8th Grade. I am also fortunate to have Dee’s 3 children in our home. Ryan, Keigan and Danica attend Murray County Central.
