“A picture says a thousand words…” is certainly pertinent concerning the Monroe County Herald front page article on Monday, June 8th.

In the article Sheriff candidate Mike Krause emphatically states “Yes, I am a citizen” but a careful reading of the 2008 document in the picture states “I deny I am a U.S. citizen…” Six lines later in the same document Mr. Krause stated “I am not a ‘United States citizen’ subject to its jurisdictions….” Mr. Krause, you can’t have it both ways!

Mr. Krause has now filed the legal documents to rescind his earlier statement(s) but only after his candidacy for sheriff was challenged. The County Clerk has decided to place Mr. Krause on the ballot based on Wisconsin Statute 8.21 (2) (b) which reads in part “meets, or will meet” certain requirements concerning residency, citizenship, and so forth.

In considering this situation, I also researched “sovereign citizen” and the Krause for Sheriff 2026 website. The deeper I dig, the more questions I have beyond how can a former citizen simply regain citizenship with only a sworn statement some eighteen years later? What else has he done (or not done) in those 18 years? While Mr. Krause has an interesting and in-depth background in jails and confinement facilities, he seems to be lacking in experience in the many other critical roles and responsibilities of a sheriff’s department. His level of leadership responsibility cited on his campaign webpage also raises a question or two.

The upcoming Primary Election is less than two months away (especially with early voting) so I would ask the voters of Monroe County to do their research, study the issues, attend any sheriff candidate forums, and ask the tough questions before casting your vote.