Mower County Sheriff Terese Amazi will have some competition this November, as Sgt. Jeff Ellis announced his candidacy for sheriff Monday.

Ellis made the announcement through a press release, and his campaign will have the slogan “Sensible Leadership, Economically Responsible.”

“I will provide sensible leadership and be economically responsible, providing informed, educated decisions on issues,” Ellis said in the release.

Ellis cited one example of his past success, developing a new personnel work schedule that saved Mower County tens of thousands of dollars without reducing public safety, according to the release.

Ellis has more than a decade of experience in the Mower County Sheriff’s department, and he has 14 years of law enforcement experience. Ellis said that he believes his leadership, personal commitment to community service, and extensive experience building and running nationally recognized programs would help him excel as sheriff.

One of those nationally recognized programs is the county’s K-9 program. Ellis recently served as a K-9 officer with highly decorated police dog Tazer, who retired March 23. Ellis and Tazer won five national and seven regional championships. Shortly after Tazer retired, Ellis said the move meant Ellis could focus on other opportunities within the sheriff’s department.

“It’s kind of a career thing for me,” Ellis said.

Along with serving as K-9 officer, Ellis has also served as a patrol deputy, certified drug recognition expert, SWAT team member and program developer.

Ellis was born in Austin to a farming family, and he attributed his work ethic and values to his blue collar roots. Ellis lives outside Austin with his wife, Tina, and their two children.

According to the press release, Ellis has a Police Supervisory Management Certificate from Minnesota’s law enforcement training and development unit.

He has also served on the Board of Directors for national professional organizations, where he was responsible for fiscal responsibility and effective management.

Amazi, who is running for her third term, said she found out about the campaign through the media Tuesday morning and not through Ellis.

“It is what it is,” she said about Ellis running for sheriff. “You go into this business knowing you’re going to be challenged.”

To learn more about Ellis and his campaign for sheriff, visit www.jeffellisforsheriff.com.

A term for sheriff is four years long.