In the Walsh County recall election set for April 12, Sheriff Lauren Wild will face challengers Ron Nord and Bob Thomas, County Auditor Sharon Kinsala said.
Friday was the deadline for candidates to turn in the signatures needed to appear on the ballot. Wild did not need to gather signatures because he currently holds the office.
Thomas is a retired chief deputy for the sheriff's department. Nord is a deputy who ran for sheriff last year and lost to Wild.
Wild, who's served as sheriff since 1989, fired Nord the day after the Nov. 2 election, accusing Nord of spreading lies in an attempt to gain votes. Wild has not elaborated on what those lies were.
Nord, who had been a deputy for 19 years, says his campaign was clean. A group upset over his firing rallied on Facebook and gathered enough signatures to force the recall election.
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In December, Nord filed a lawsuit that alleges Wild and Walsh County wrongfully terminated him, defamed him and violated his constitutional right to seek office.
Nord's suit says he was fired in retaliation for running for sheriff. He's seeking damages of more than $50,000.
The county and Wild have denied the allegations, saying Nord was an employee who could have been fired whenever and that they have immunity from the suit's claims.
Ingersoll reports on crime and courts. Reach him at (701) 780-1269; (800) 477-6572, ext. 269; or send e-mail to aingersoll@gfherald.com .
