By Kevin Boneske
Staff Writer

BROWN COUNTY – Chief Deputy Todd Delain has been elected Brown County sheriff for the next four years.

Countywide results from the Nov. 6 general election show Delain, a Republican, outpolled Democrat Tim Thomas, a traffic sergeant with the sheriff’s office, 65,221 to 47,664.

Delain, who has been with the sheriff’s office for more than 22 years, including 7 1/2 as chief deputy, next January will replace John Gossage, who did not seek a third term in office.

Delain received the endorsement of Gossage as well as all four living retired Brown County sheriffs, Dennis Kocken, Tom Hinz, Michael Donart and Leon Pieschek.

In his campaign, Delain emphasized his experience as chief deputy in managing all five divisions of the sheriff’s office and the Brown County Drug Task Force.

He also noted he has been the primary person to handle all personnel issues for approximately 325 sheriff’s office employees.

Thomas, who is in his 28th year with the sheriff’s office, called for adding investigators and changing some shifts to allow for flex schedules with investigations, as well as directing officers to concentrate more on crime and improve communication between divisions of the office.

He also noted a need to address problems at the county jail, such as with a shortage of correctional officers.

Clerk of courts

In Brown County’s other countywide elected office on the ballot, clerk of courts, the Republican incumbent, John Vander Leest, outpolled the Democratic challenger, Jacob Paplham, 63,159 to 49,005, to earn another four-year term.