Chief Deputy Reed Reinbold Announces Run for Otter Tail Sheriff

Reed Reinbold, chief deputy of the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office, announced in a Facebook post on Friday, Feb. 20 that he is running for Otter Tail County sheriff. Reinbold has been a licensed Minnesota peace officer for 23 years and has worked for the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office for 21 of those years, holding the ranks of chief deputy, SWAT commander, and deputy emergency manager.

In his Facebook post, Reinbold framed his candidacy around his connection to the community. "Otter Tail County isn’t just where I work, it’s the community I’ve dedicated my career to serving," he wrote. He also recalled a long-term commitment to local service: "More than two decades ago, I set a goal to serve with the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office because I believed in the people here and the values this county represents."

Reinbold told voters he is running on a platform of "leadership, accountability, and public trust," and added he "would be honored to earn voter support." Those themes position Reinbold as an internal candidate with multi-decade experience in the department’s command structure and emergency operations leadership.

The announcement follows incumbent Sheriff Barry Fitzgibbons’ decision not to seek re-election; Reinbold’s entry came days after Fitzgibbons said he would not run again, opening what will be an open-seat contest for the county sheriff’s post. Reinbold’s 21 years inside the sheriff’s office and roles as SWAT commander and deputy emergency manager give him institutional knowledge as the campaign begins.

Reinbold’s Facebook post and the initial announcement did not include details on campaign filing, a campaign committee name, endorsements, or a formal launch event. County election records and the Otter Tail County auditor’s office will be the sources to confirm whether Reinbold has filed the necessary paperwork to appear on the ballot and to establish official campaign dates and reporting.

Local voters and elected officials will now watch for formal filings and any additional candidate declarations to define the field. Reinbold’s campaign message of leadership and accountability frames the debate for the sheriff’s office at a moment when the county is shifting from an incumbent-led administration to an open contest for the county’s top law enforcement position.