Harn beats Beitel for sheriff nomination
By Vinde Wells - Editor
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| Michael Harn speaks to supporters at the Oregon VFW Tuesday night after learning he won the Republican nomination for Ogle County Sheriff. In the background are Ogle County Board members Marcia Heuer, Dennis Williams, Lynne Kilker, Paul White, Kim Gouker, and Lyle Hopkins. Photo by Chris Johnson |
An Ogle County deputy won an upset victory over his boss Tuesday to win the Republican Party nomination for Ogle County Sheriff.
Michael Harn, 48, Forreston, defeated Greg Beitel, 59, Oregon, by 4,648 votes to 2,676, a margin of almost 2 to 1.
Beitel was seeking a second term as sheriff,
“It’s extremely humbling,” Harn said after the returns came in. “This is a victory for the citizens of Ogle County and the employees of Ogle County.”
He said he was surprised by the vote margin.
“I did not expect to win by this much. Greg is a good person and he worked hard,” Harn said.
Beitel said the loss came as a surprise.
“Based on what we’ve been hearing for the last few weeks we’re very surprised and disappointed,” he said. “I ran a campaign the way I though it ought to be run.”
Beitel attributed the loss to some statements made during his opponent’s campaign.
“I suspect that a lot of people believed the half-truths that were put out there,” he said.
Harn, however, said his campaign wasn’t negative.
“There were some issues. I can substantiate everything I said,” he said. “Greg has one approach and I have another.”
Beitel said he called Harn after the votes were counted and left a congratulatory message on his cell phone.
“I’ve been proud to serve the people of Ogle County for the last 24 years,” Beitel said. “I don’t regret anything I’ve done and I wouldn’t change anything I’ve done. I’m a public servant first, not a politician. I got into politics to do what I wanted to better serve the public. Maybe this will give me another opportunity to serve in another way.”
Both Beitel and Harn have worked for the Ogle County Sheriff’s Department for more than two decades.
Harn will be the Republican Party candidate for sheriff in the Nov. 2 general election.
No Democrats have filed for the seat.
