(Pierce County Leader) A questionnaire from the Pierce County Leader was sent to persons seeking offices in election in Pierce County. The following are their responses:
Brad Albers
Brad Albers is seeking a position as County Commissioner District 2 as an incumbent.
Brad is a 1987 graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He has worked at Jerry’s Hilltop for 32 years, a long time family business. He has served 11 years with the County.
Reasons for seeking the position: I am trying to keep local government local. I am concerned about the safety of the county. I am a financial conservative.
Mike Mayfield
Mike Mayfield is seeking a position as County Commissioner District 2 as a non-incumbent.
My wife Jennifer and I have been married 35 years. My son Zach is married to Lauren. They had our first grandson, Levi, and have another boy on the way. My daughter Jaden lives in the area with her dog Halen. I graduated from Battle Creek High School. I have had three jobs so far. I worked one year at Madison Foods then went on to work for the Madison County Road Department for 13 years. In 1991, I started at Nucor Steel at an entry level job as a Steel Stacker. After holding two other positions at Nucor, I was promoted to supervisor. This position taught me leadership and problem solving. I retired from Nucor with 30 years of experience.
Nucor invested in their people to become strong leaders. I attend First Christian Church in Norfolk and serve there as an elder.
Reasons for seeking the position: I believe Pierce County is a strong county. I worked 13 years on the road department and now want to learn the government side. Working at Nucor taught me how to work toward solving issues. I think the #1 issue is communication with the people. I currently paint apartments for three contractors and that will end if I am elected. The commissioner job will be my #1 priority. I know I have a lot to learn if elected, but I have had to gain knowledge in every position I’ve held. The Bible says to be great in the Kingdom of God, one must be the servant to all. If elected, I look forward to serving the people of District #2 of Pierce County.
Dave Lienemann
Dave Lienemann is seeking a position as County Commissioner District 2 as a non-incumbent.
Dave is a Pierce High School graduate. He graduated from Northeast Community College with a degree in Diesel Technology. He has worked as a diesel technician for 33 years and farmed all the while with my dad, brother, wife, and two sons.
Dave has been married to his wife Beth for 33 years and they have two sons, a daughter-in-law and one granddaughter.
Dave has been a member of the Pierce Volunteer Fire Department for 26 years. He served eight years on the Pierce School Board.
Reasons for seeking the position: I want accountability and to watch spending. I want to take care of the people of my district and be transparent so the people know what is going on in the district. I would also like to get a one-year to five-year plan started.
Josh Bauermeister
Josh Bauermeister is seeking a position as Pierce County Sheriff as a non-incumbent.
I am a lifelong northeast Nebraska resident who grew up on a farm east of Norfolk. I graduated from Norfolk Senior High School in 1993, and attended Dana College on a football scholarship. I later earned an associate’s degree in agriculture from Northeast Community College. I began my public safety career as a dispatcher in Lincoln, then became a Deputy Sheriff in Pierce County in 1999. In 2004, I joined the Norfolk Police Division, where I served 20 years and retired as a lieutenant in 2024. I currently serve as a deputy with the Cedar County Sheriff's office. My wife, Crystal, and I have been married 21 years and have two children. I am active in the Pierce United Church of Christ, the Pierce Chamber of Commerce, the Pierce Softball Board, and previously served on the Pierce Advancement Committee.
Reasons for seeking the position: I am running for Sheriff because Pierce County is my home. I have lived here for 27 years and am raising my family here. I care deeply about the safety of our communities and the future of our county. With nearly three decades of law enforcement experience, I believe Pierce County deserves a Sheriff who is experienced, accessible, and committed to continuous improvement. I will provide steady leadership, support our deputies and staff, and build strong relationships with the public to keep our communities safe.
Loren Gerdes
Loren Gerdes is seeking a position as County Commissioner District 2 as a non-incumbent.
Loren is a lifelong resident of Pierce County. He attended Osmond High School and has worked at Kolterman Farm Equipment, Muller Industries, and a self-employed business owner of Gerdes Windmill and Well. He is currently employed with Pierce County for five years full-time on roads and bridges.
Loren has been married to Lisa Pittet of Pierce, for over 40 years. They have three children and two grandchildren.
Reasons for seeking the position: I want to make sure tax dollars are spent efficiently. Focus on improving roads and bridges, and blind intersections. I will support local law enforcement and emergency services. Public concerns will be dealt with accordingly, face to face or written, phone calls etc.
Brandon Wagner
Brandon Wagner is seeking a position as County Commissioner District 3 as a non-incumbent.
I have lived all 43 years of my life in Pierce County. I am married to my loving wife, Julie Wagner. Together we have four children and four grandchildren. Two years out of high school I started my career in dirt work which led me to opening my own excavating business, B.W. Excavating LLC, in 2004.
Reasons for seeking the position: I am running for county commissioner because I want to provide transparency and base spending on solid research. Considering my history as a business owner, I know how to allo- cate finances effectively. As a county commissioner, I will collaberate with the citizens of Pierce County, listen to their concerns, and take action to address them.
Carl Martinson
Carl Martinson is seeking a position as Pierce County Commissioner, District 3 as an incumbunt.
I was raised in Pierce County and graduated from the Pierce public school system. Over 30 years ago, I opened my business, The Car Shop, and have been serving our community ever since. In addition to running my business, I’ve worked for more than 20 years at Continental, formerly Goodyear, gaining firsthand experi ence with the challenges and opportunities facing working families and local businesses.
In 2022, I was honored to be elected as the Pierce County Commissioner for District 3, where I continue to work hard for the people and communities that shaped my life.
My wife and I raised our family right here in Pierce. We have three children — Christopher, Eric, and Brandi Lauritsen — and I’m blessed with two grandsons and one granddaughter.
Reasons for seeking re-election: I have always been deeply involved in Pierce and Pierce County. Throughout my adult life, community service has been a central part of who I am.
I served as a volunteer firefighter for more than 20 years, eventually working my way up to 2nd Assistant Chief. Those years taught me how to work closely with firefighters and emergency medical technicians in high pressure, emergency situations — experiences that shaped my approach to teamwork, responsibility, and public safety.
My involvement in the community has extended far beyond emergency services. I spent many years working with the Ag Society and the Fair Board, helping support local agriculture and community events. I also played slow pitch softball until about four years ago and served on both the Pierce and Norfolk Slow Pitch Softball Boards, supporting local recreation and youth activities.
Today, I am honored to serve as the District 3 Pierce County Commissioner. In this role, I am actively involved with three key boards:
• Goldenenrod Hills — promoting affordable housing and economic opportunities for residents.
• Area Agency on Aging — supporting programs that help older adults remain independent and connected.
• Juvenile Detention Center — providing secure custody and rehabilitation- focused programs for youth in our region, emphasizing personal development, skills, and education.
As commissioner, I have learned the importance of setting a responsible budget — one that supports essential infrastructure such as roads and bridges, libraries, emergency management, and other public services, while also being mindful of keeping the tax levy low.
I would appreciate your vote to continue serving as your Pierce County Commissioner for District 3.
Daniel Hallock
Daniel Hallock is seeking a position as Pierce County Sheriff.
I was raised in Springview, NE. I graduated from Keya Paha County High School in 1995. I attended Chardon State College where I obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice in 1999. I began my law enforcement career with the Norfolk Police Division in 2000. While there, I received training related to accident investigations, criminal investigations, and tactical response. I was a member of the Accident Investigation MEET THE CANDIDATES
Team and Tactical Response Team. In 2010, I joined the Pierce County Sheriff's Office as a Deputy Sheriff.
I completed an Accident Reconstruction course by IPTM to became an Accident Reconstructionist. At the end of 2014, I accepted a position of Chief Deputy with the Antelope County Sheriff's Office. In Antelope County, I completed the Supervision and Management Courses at NLETC.
I obtained my Defensive Tactics Instructor certification. I returned to the Pierce County Sheriff's Office in June, 2019, and was promoted to Deputy Sergeant.
I am married to Kristy Hallock and together we have three children, Zachary, Andrew, and Breanna. Both boys are currently employed with the Madison County Sheriff's Office and Breanna is a student at Plainview Elementary School. Reasons for seeking the position: I have served Pierce County for 11 years and believe it is time for positive change. I will bring to Pierce County and the Sheriff's office my experience, knowledge, and qualities to ensure many more years of solid and effective law enforcement to county residents. I promise a Sheriff devoted to the office, a Sheriff who puts in the time, and a Sheriff capable of leading. I will work hard for Pierce County. I will continue to oversee criminal investigations, be present and involved at public events, and be seen patrolling the roads of Pierce County. I will be diligent in financial operations, developing and operating a solid budget and ensuring every dollar is spent properly. I guarantee I will be a working Sheriff, wanting to serve the good people of Pierce County.
Pierce County is my home. It is full of great people, businesses, schools, fire and medical volunteers, and hard-
working individuals and families, all making Pierce County a great place
to live. That is why I am running for the office of Pierce County Sheriff,
so I can do my part to preserve this way of life .
Rick Eberhardt
Rick Eberhardt is seeking reelection as Pierce County Sheriff.
I was born in Frankfurt, Germany. My father was in the U.S. Army and my mother was a native German. I became a naturalized citizen at the age of 15. Most of my youth was spent growing up in Grand Island, graduating from Grand Island NW.
My law enforcement career started at the age of 19, working at the Hall County Sheriff's office as a Cor - rectional Officer in the jail. I then became a certified Reserve officer. After two years, I accepted a position as a Deputy Sheriff with the Saline County Sheriff's office. I spent one year as an undercover narcotics of- ficer and two years as a road deputy.
In 1983, I met Robin Stewart in her home town of Western, NE. We got married in 1984.
In November 1984, the acting Sheriff of Pierce County resigned his position. I then applied for the position of Sheriff and was hired by the Pierce County Board of Commissioners. I was sworn in on November 1, 1984, becoming the youngest sheriff in the state of Nebraska. Robin and I raised our two children, Reagan and Reece, on our small farm near Pierce.
Over the years, I have continued to further my education in the law enforcement field with numerous continuing education classes, as well as criminal justice classes at Northeast Community College.
Reasons for seeking re-election: As the oldest of six kids, I was always a big brother looking out for my siblings. I am running for Sheriff again because looking out for people is something I enjoy doing. I have decades of experience in law enforce ment and in running Pierce County Jail. Running the Pierce County Jail can be a struggle. You must deal with multiple personalities, addictions, and behavior issues. I realize the Sheriff’s department is bigger than one man.
It requires a team effort from the 911 operator to the persons supervising the jail inmates. You have to find and hire deputies that will do good work in the community they serve, while main -
taining an open-door policy when it comes to meeting with the public. Working with the youth in our com - munity, teaching DARE for 14 years and high school County Government Day, has been a blessing in my life.
I am a Christian and try to model my life in such a way. I try to treat others the way I know I would like to be treated. I enjoy fishing and riding horses and motorcycles and working on my farm. I also enjoy making new friends and spending time with my old ones.
I will always strive to make Pierce County safe and secure and a place we are all proud to call home.
