DULUTH (IN)ACTION PROGRESSIVE VOTER GUIDE: ST. LOUIS COUNTY SHERIFF 2022
Ross Litman was elected St. Louis County Sheriff in 2002 and sworn into office in January 2003. Litman is not seeking re-election, which means for the first time in 20 years there will be a new sheriff in town.
St. Louis County eligible voters will have the opportunity to cast their vote in the primary election on August 9, 2022 in order to whittle down sheriff candidates from three candidates to two ahead of the general election (which takes place on November 8, 2022).
This Duluth (In)Action progressive voter guide can be used to educate oneself and others about the candidates for St. Louis County Sheriff. This guide is written from a social justice lens and will offer an abolitionist perspective. It is targeted at radical/leftist/liberal voters to be used as a personal and public education tool to ensure eligible voters in St. Louis County can make an informed choice in this year’s Sheriff election. While voting and electoral politics alone will not lead to liberation, voting is one tool in a larger toolbox to advance us toward justice.
Duluth (In)Action does not endorse any candidate. Ideally, there would be no St. Louis County Sheriff position because policing and imprisonment would not exist. This progressive voter guide is an encouragement to prevent harm and an invitation to vote in the best interests of the People.
Got edits, suggestions or questions about the voter guide? Send Duluth (In)Action a DM on Facebook or Instagram
What does the St. Louis County Sheriff even do?
St. Louis County Sheriffs are elected for four (4) year terms.
St. Louis County Sheriff oversees the county jail and serves in leadership of the St. Louis County Sheriff’s office (SLCSO). Responsibilities of the SLCSO include “providing boat and water safety enforcement, maintaining the County Jail and Range Lockups, providing Emergency Management for the County and overseeing the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Volunteer Rescue Squad” as well as the delivery of legal process papers such as subpoenas and restraining orders. Applications for permits to purchase and carry firearms are also submitted to the SLCSO.
The SLCSO maintains close working relationships with municipal police departments (Ex: Duluth Police Department). For more information about the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, check out https://www.stlouiscountymn.gov/departments-a-z/sheriff
Who is running for St. Louis County Sheriff in 2022?
There are three candidates that will appear on the primary election ballot on August 9, 2022:
Jason Lukovsky, Gordon Ramsay, and Chad Walsh.
The primary election will dwindle the number of candidates from three to two. Those two finalists will appear on the general election ballot on November 8, 2022. For details about ballots and voting in Duluth, check out https://duluthmn.gov/city-clerk/elections-voter-services/election-information/
Overview of Each Candidate
Gordon Ramsay
Campaign Website: https://voteramsay.com/
Select Endorsements for this Ramsay (according to candidate website)
Ramsay’s campaign website lists public figures under the “Endorsements” tab versus departments, organizations, unions, etc.
- Karen Diver, Senior Adviser to the President for Native American Affairs, UMN
- Archie Davis, Community Leader and former member of Duluth’s Citizen Review Board
- The Mayors of Hibbing, Eveleth and Virgina
- Jeff Longwall, former City of Wichita mayor
Ramsay’s Life Background
- Raised in Duluth MN and attended Duluth Public Schools. Graduated from East High School and attended UMD for criminology and sociology.
Ramsay’s Working Background
- Worked part-time at Iron River Wisconsin Police Department while finishing his degree.
- Worked at Milwaukee Police Department after graduation.
- Returned to Duluth in the mid-90s to work for the Duluth Police Department.
- Appointed Duluth Police Chief in 2006.
- In 2016, went to serve as Police Chief in Wichita Kansas.
Internal Report Finds Ramsay Failed to Discipline Officers Appropriately
Ramsay’s departure from the Wichita Police Department (WPD) was not a clean and simple break. An internal report found that leadership at the WPD, which includes Ramsay as Police Chief, did not administer proper discipline in response to a series of officer text messages that were filled with racist, anti-Black, homophobic and fascist comments that took place over the course of five years. The internal investigators noted that providing the involved officers’ “education-based discipline” and “coaching and mentoring” was not a sufficient response to the misconduct.
The Wichita Citizens Review Board compiled a report and recommendation that documents the text messages between the officers. What’s evident in the exchanges is the involved officers’ dislike of Chief Ramsay (based on political and ideological grounds). The involved officer’s shared memes likening Ramsay to Joe Biden (and made it clear they were pro-Trump) as well as screenshots of comments left on local articles in which DPD officers shared their disdsain for Ramsay because of his alleged lack of understanding about street patrolling.
From an abolitionist perspective, “no crooked cops, no KKK, no racist USA.” Officers of any rank that are found to be upholding racist, anti-Black, homophobic and neo-Nazi ideologies should be fired. For an institution that is founded on systemic oppression and violence, it allures right-wing fascists so it’s not a surprise that a large police department in conservative Kansas houses cops that share memes supporting the confederate flag (even though Kansas was not a confederate state…). With the involved officers disliking Ramsay, there’s an open question about what length he would have been able to go as Chief of Police to discipline the officers beyond “education” and “mentoring” without receiving pushback from the thin blue line.
Ramsay should be questioned extensively about his approach to racism, xenophobia, homophobia and neo-Nazism within the Wichita Police Department and how he would address similar situations within St. Louis County as we know there have been an increase in overt acts of supporting the Confederate flag, donning “Don’t Tread on Me” flags/stickers, and racism/anti-Black actions in northern MN in recent years.
Finding Money for Priority Projects
Ramsay’s website states he has a knack for securing funding. He claims to have played a vital role in finding funding for a new police headquarters (during a time of financial difficulty in the City of Duluth) as well as for the West Duluth Police Station and DTA Downtown station. He also secured federal grants in 2014 to conduct active shooting training that focused on communication between agencies.
From an abolitionist perspective, newly built and renovated policing facilities are a misuse of funding. And also, this could be a promising leverage point for the People of St. Louis County to push for funding allocations towards projects that significantly impact our communities and put Ramsay’s self-proclaimed skill-set to the test.
Citizen Review Boards
Ramsay was involved in the creation of Duluth’s first Citizen Review Board (CRB). The objective of this group is to serve as “advisory body to the Police Department and City Council for the purpose of fostering relationships and strengthening trust and communication between the police department and citizens of Duluth in furtherance of the best interests of the city and all of its residents.”
As we witnessed when the City Council was weighing the proposed resolution for riot gear throughout Fall 2018, the Citizen Review Board has limited power. It is unable to reject Duluth Police Department decisions and any advice provided by the CRB is received as a mere suggestion, with DPD having ultimate decision-making power.
From an abolitionist perspective, the role of citizens in policing practices is an important talking point but the power vested in the People needs to be far more substantive than being able to make suggestions. If Ramsay was receptive and advocated for a Citizen Review Board during his time with DPD, there is potential for engaging in conversation about how the people of St. Louis County can play a deeper role in police accountability and public safety in our communities.
Final Verdict
The People are in a position to make an informed choice. In the instance, we can make a choice that offers the most possibility for change, access, and transparency. There is no guarantee that electing Gordon Ramsay will suddenly undo historical and institutional norms, but his record of seeking funding for priority projects, approving of citizen-geared advisory boards, and his heterogeneous work experience gives a greater glimmer of possibility than the other candidates.
Jason Lukovsky
Campaign Website: https://lukovskyforsheriff.com/
Select Endorsements for this Candidate (according to candidate’s website)
- Duluth Police Union Local #807– the Duluth Police Department union announced its endorsement of Lukovsky in February. Candidates seeking the union’s endorsement were screened with a series of questions (according to candidate Chad Walsh’s website), including:
- “How will you improve the relationship between the Sheriff’s Office and the Duluth Police Department?
- The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office has direct control of the 911 communications center and the St. Louis County jail. Historically there have always been some issues between those two entities and the Duluth Police Department. How do you plan to identify these issues, and what will you do to include the DPD prior to implementing any changes?
- Currently many of the resources the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office has have been available to the DPD as the need has arisen. If elected Sheriff, do you plan to continue that policy or change it? Should you change it, what might those changes be?”
- Ross Litman, current St. Louis County Sheriff
Lukovskey’s Life & Work Background
- Graduated from Denfeld High School and University of Minnesota Duluth
- Has served in the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office for 24-years in various positions.
- Lukovsky currently serves as undersheriff of St. Louis County Minnesota.
Perspective on Gun Violence
Shortly after the elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas this year, the Duluth News Tribune spoke with both Jason Lukovsky and Gordon Ramsay about their perspectives on guns. Both candidates expressed troubling views from an abolitionist perspective.
Lukovsky praised the use of drones to surveil layouts of houses during standoffs in residential neighborhoods. He claims that the volume of guns discovered during drone surveillance is one of the reasons why law enforcement requires armored vehicles.
Candidate (and gun shop owner) Chad Walsh opted out of speaking to the Duluth News Tribune about his perspective on gun violence and the Uvalde school shooting because, according to him, he wanted to avoid his responses being misrepresented by the media…
From an abolitionist perspective, the militarization of policing– which includes both weapons and advanced technology– will always mean the People are in danger of being harmed or killed by police. Lukovsky’s responses to the Duluth News Tribune (which may be a limited snapshot of his fuller responses), normalize the presence of M-16s and “specialty weapons” within police departments and was not on record as being weary of the ways policing has beefed up its arsenal of weapons and surveillance tools.
Gordon Ramsay’s responses ultimately condoned militarized police equipment such as armored vehicles and body protection, but noted that “no one wants an occupying police force that is like an army.” He also shared how the news of Columbine while he was serving as a school resource officer instilled in him the philosophy that officers should “follow the gunshots,” unlike the officers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde.
Weak Campaigning & Limited Portfolio of Work
As noted above, Jason Luksovsky has served in the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office in various roles for 24 years. On one hand, this could lend to institutional knowledge, familiarity with the minutiae of the office, and pre-existing relationships that add stability to the operations of the office. On the other hand, the thin blue line loves to insulate itself from change and challenges.
Luksovsky’s entire career has been spent in the same place, meaning his points of reference and knowledge of different tactics, methods, and experiences is limited. This is ironic given that in a Duluth News Tribune column he wrote, “I humbly submit that no other candidate has my diverse level of law enforcement experience.”
What do we risk by electing someone who has worked in the St. Louis County Sheriff’s office for 24 years (Lukovsky) to replace someone who has held the Sheriff’s position for 20 years (Litman)? Stagnation. Resistance to change. Business as usual. Complacency.
From an abolitionist perspective, nepotism within law enforcement agencies cannot bode well for the People. If Lukovsky is elected as sheriff, it would likely be an unnoticeable change. We cannot accept stagnation or maintenance of the status quo within an office that oversees such a large county and within a position that holds power over incarcerated people.
Final Verdict
Ensuring that Jason Lukosvky and Gordan Ramsay are the final candidates that advance to the general election is one step toward ensuring a less harmful candidate. However, Lukovksy would be a subpar final option for Sheriff. There is risk involved with every candidate, but in the case of Lukovsky there is a great risk of protecting tradition and insulating the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office from being evaluated for changes.
Chad Walsh
Campaign Website: https://chadwalshforsheriff.com/
Select Endorsements for this Candidate (according to candidate’s website)
Walsh’s website includes a series of videos under a “Testimonials” tab. There are no names or positions documented with the videos.
Walsh has posted his responses to screening questions Duluth Local 807 asked of any candidate seeking the union’s endorsement on his website.
Work and Life Background
- Graduated from Hermantown High School
- Served as a military police officer in the U.S. army
- Runs a portable toilet business
- Owns and operates “Dead on Arms,” an indoor shooting range and firearm store
- Currently works as a law enforcement officer for the Moose Lake police department
Concerning Imagery in Gun Shop Logo
Above is the logo for Walsh’s indoor shooting range and firearm shop, Dead on Arms.
The roman numeral three surrounded by 13 stars is associated with the “Three Percenters” a far-right, anti-government militia movement. Those who align themselves with the Three Percenters movement believe in a disproved historical claim that only three percent of Americans fought in the Revolutionary War against the British, therefore making them the true patriots of the American revolution.
Three Percenters believe the government overextends its power, especially when it comes to gun ownership and COVID-19 safety regulations.
Six men associated with a Three Percenters organizations were charged with conspiracy based on their involvement in the January 6 attack on the U.S. capitol. Canada considers any group aligned with the Three Percenters movement to be a terrorist organization.
Overall, any nod to the ideology of Three Percenters is alarming and when questioned about this by the Duluth News Tribune, Walsh seemingly skirted around providing a solid response about his affiliation with Three Percenters. The snake included in the Dead on Arms logo resembles the familiar image found in the Gadsden Flag, aka the Don’t Tread on Me flag– which has shifted in meaning in recent years and is frequently used by far-right, Trump supporters.
From an abolitionist perspective, and honestly from a human perspective, Walsh’s affiliation (known or implied) with the Three Percenters and the larger far-right movement is a big red flag. It speaks volumes about who he is in community with and who his target audience is for his business. In the last few years, Duluth and surrounding areas have witnessed groups of trucks ominously driving around with large flags that include blue line, confederate, Don’t Tread on Me, and Trump flags. These types of demonstrations would likely continue and participants would feel affirmed and emboldened if a high ranking county law enforcement officer such as Walsh were in leadership.
Incompliant with early COVID-19 Restrictions
The Trump administration deemed firearms shops essential but Governor Walz’s COVID-19 safety regulations for the state of Minnesota required “sporting facilities” to close at the onset of the pandemic.
Chad Walsh rejected this guidance and maintained operations of the indoor shooting range portion of Dead on Arms– until he received a phone call from the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office warning Walsh that he could be fined and imprisoned if he didn’t close his shooting range.
Walsh was initially defiant until he consulted with his attorney who advised him to comply. But he believed the government was overstepping and negatively impacting his ability to make money (even though he was allowed to keep the firearm shop portion of his business open).
From an abolitionist perspective, this line of arguing from Walsh sounds just like the rally cry from far-right COVID-19 deniers who were peeved about not being able to get their haircut or access other frivolous non-essential services throughout COVID-19 shutdowns. As a business owner and law enforcement officer, it is alarming that Walsh would scoff and attempt to fight such a basic safety measure but now wants to be viewed as someone who is committed to public safety. As we continue to navigate the pandemic, Walsh makes it clear that he would not readily oblige with safety precautions that are in the best interests of the People.
Fined for Campaign Violations
A hearing panel determined that Walsh would be fined $750 for campaign violations– which include failing to report contributions worth more than $750 within 14 days; failing to accurately report expenditures related to campaign billboards; and accepting three campaign contributions last year in excess of the $250 limit allowed by law. In addition to the fine, he will be required to refund the amounts he’s received in excess of the legal limit.
From an abolitionist perspective, municipal election policies are not simple and can trip up even the most progressive, well-intentioned candidate. And also, Walsh is running for the top position in the county and one that inevitably has to stay on top of budgets, funding and expenses to a great level of detail. If he is experiencing such hardship maintaining the finances for his own campaign, this could be a warning sign for his capacities as Sheriff. It’s likely that Walsh’s defiance of government, as evidenced by his firearm shop’s cringey logo and his rejection of early COVID-19 safety regulations, keeps him from caring much about adhering to election rules.
Final Verdict
The People need to ensure Walsh does not advance to the general election ballot. He claims to be a man for the People, but this talking point conveys more about his opposition to government rule and testimonial videos on his website make it clear his supporter base disapproves of the current St. Louis County Sheriff leadership because it upholds a level of gun control and COVID-19 safety precautions the far-right has been pushing back against since the onset of the pandemic. He has a track record of aligning with far-right interests and rejecting basic safety measures and would not be a trustworthy option to hold such a high law-enforcement position.