08/26/2026
I received several questions this past week while I was at the Grant County Fair about the lawsuit my opponent is pursuing against Grant County.
I looked further into the matter myself and found the attached 37-page summary judgment order issued by U.S. District Judge Thomas O. Rice on January 26, 2026.
These are not my words or my personal interpretation. This is the court’s order, and I encourage you to read it for yourself.
The court dismissed several major claims with prejudice, meaning they cannot be brought again:
* My opponent’s First Amendment claim.
* The federal civil rights claim against Grant County.
* Both plaintiffs’ claims for intentional infliction of emotional distress.
* The plaintiffs’ claims that they were forced to speak or remain silent.
Some claims are still unresolved, so the case is not over. However, allowing a claim to continue does not mean the court found that retaliation, fraud, wrongful discharge or any other misconduct occurred. The January order is also part of an ongoing appeals process.
Before filing the lawsuit, each plaintiff submitted a $5 million tort claim against Grant County. Together, they sought $10 million.
That deserves public attention. My opponent is asking voters to put him in charge of a Sheriff’s Office and jail budget totaling nearly $30 million. At the same time, he is pursuing a case that began with an effort to obtain millions of dollars from the county and its taxpayers.
Lawsuits against the county are not free just because insurance is involved. Taxpayers still help pay for insurance premiums, deductibles, legal fees, staff time and other costs. A large judgment could also put pressure on county reserves and future budgets. That could affect funding for deputies, corrections staff, training, equipment and rural patrol coverage.
I believe voters deserve to see the full public record, not just allegations or campaign talking points. Read the attached court order, review what the court dismissed and what remains, and decide for yourself what it means for Grant County taxpayers and for the person asking to manage our public-safety budget.
