90% of Starry for Sheriff Campaign Donations Are From Special Interest

Dan Starry was customarily appointed Washington County Sheriff as he was second in command under Bill Hutton who retired as the elected sheriff in mid 2017. His campaign of "Keep Starry Sheriff" have many resident's mislead to believe he's been the elected sheriff for us. (Technically the position is an open seat.) The lawn signs are everywhere across the county, yet no one we've talked to exactly understands his campaign. Usually candidates for office can lay out specific ideas to improve or continue the success of the department's service to the voters. However, Starry's campaign website is void of ideas and full of the usual over generalized political promises to make residents more safe.  He could be a great guy and a dedicated officer of the law; however his campaign is empty and appears to offer promises and no proven ideas. 

What's not empty is Dan Starry's campaign fund. With over $10,000 he's got the grass roots campaign of Paul Hoppe beat five to one. Hoppe is the director of the city of Wyoming's Police Department and also running for Washington County sheriff. More about him here:
Experience Counts, Paul Hoppe Running for Washington County Sheriff Gives Clear Answers on Transparency, Crime Mapping, Sex Offenders, Felon Voting, and More.

Many questioned how such an uninspiring campaign could have all the campaign money and yard signs. We did some digging into the campaign finance data from the county:

Of the 47 donors with names, 41 of them work in Government or have special interest in the campaign (fair to say all 41 are special interest). Many of the donors work under Starry. Only 6 donors don't have a known special interest connection.

So that's 87% of his known donors are special interest! They've given $8,543. The 6 donors without a known interest in his campaign have given $905. There's $865 from 18 anonymous donors (under the $100 donation to know who they are)... so we'll not factor that in the $10,313 he's raised so far. So known donors total $9,448.

Of Starry's $9,448 in campaign donations, 90% of it was from his special interest friends. (including himself)  

When you vote for Washington County Sheriff think about where 90% of Starry's support comes from, big labor, politicians, and from people working in and around his position as the temporarily appointed Sheriff. 

Opposite to the questionable donations of Starry is the Paul Hoppe campaign who told us in an interview that he's not seeking special interest endorsements. Expanding on the conflict that arises when you take campaign donations from special interest stating "I believe it’s our responsibility as leaders to insulate our employees from the politics of governing so the deputies can focus on serving the community rather than serving the interest of an individual." 

Data:

All his division commanders gave:

https://www.co.washington.mn.us/883/Division-Overview

Records / Communications - Commander Sara Halverson gave $250
Patrol Division - Commander Doug Anschutz  gave $250
Investigative Division - Commander Andrew Ellickson  gave $250
Jail Division - Commander Roger Heinen  gave $250
Courts / Special Projects - Commander Cheri Dexter  gave $250

Bunch of local elected officials and relatives of them:

County attorney Pete Orput gave $100

County Commissioner Fran Miron  $100

Lake Elmo City Councilor Justin Bloyer $200

Senator Karin Housley $100

Husband of representative Kathy Lohmer, Greg $100

Meredith Lake retired WC Attorney – and wife of deceased WC Deputy Bill Lake  gave $100

Mary L Waldkirch Tilley, retired Washington County Attorney gave $100

Lots of Government employees and relatives:
Jim Shoup, an IRS investigator $100

Russ Blanck, centennial lakes police department $100

Fred Fink, Washington County prosecutor $100

Lawrence Flaherty, retired WC Deputy Law enforcement $250

Kevin Mueller, WC prosecutor $250

Richard Mueller $250

Bruce Peterson, Forest Lake Police Department $100

John Kirkwood, was Ramsey county sheriff's department $100

Randy McAlister, cottage grove police seargent $100

Joal McAlister $100

Dick Mah, "US Government" $100

Teri Grimm "US Government" $100

Tons of Washington County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) and their relatives:

David Heuer, sergeant, $200 

Brian Mueller, Interim Chief Deputy and special ops trainer $250

Lori Mueller $250

Rebecca Bromme, sergeant, $100

Pat Olson, Retired WC commander $100

Jay Thompson WCSO, $100

Questionable Donors:

Jeff Gort $100 (one of the Cottage Grove Cops who shot a suspect who later won a lawsuit)

Gary Swanson, retired WCSO, $100               

James Fure, retired WCSO, $100 (Both Swanson and Fure were in an investigation where both hosted a wild stag party with two other sheriff's where a fellow sheriff was held down by 6 men and forced  to have a stripper dance on him while on a stage. They were not convicted due to lack of proof they were involved with the crime.)  

special interest:
Patrick Erickson, Law enforcement tactical training association and retired WC deputy $100  

Warren Ackerson, for Glock hand guns $100

Joe Isaacs, permit to carry activist $100

Shelly Richard, Stillwater Med Group, $250

Members of his campaign and relatives:
Glen Bona filed his campaign committee with a starting balance of $840

Brian Bona $250

Roger Bona $250

Dan Starry $1,653.91

Not special interest donors?:
Ed Eccleston gave $5 

Michael Jordan of Stillwater gave $250

Deborah Jordan of Stillwater gave $250

Pat Herold of Stillwater gave $100

Eric Heil, of Rogers gave $150

Lori Heil, of Rogers gave $150