Vonnie Sonnenberg Named Republican of the Year as Sheriff Powell Declines Re-election

Vonnie Sonnenberg was honored as Logan County Republican of the Year at the Logan County Republicans’ Lincoln Day Dinner on Saturday, Feb. 14, and Logan County Sheriff Brett Powell told attendees he will not seek re-election this year. The dinner drew a parade of 2026 candidates and local party members for awards and announcements.

Peggy Michaels, the 2025 Republican of the Year, presented the award to Sonnenberg and praised her service. “This person doesn’t seek recognition but they have earned it. Their dedication, integrity and unwavering commitment of Republican values make them a shining example of what leadership really looks like,” Michaels said. “Vonnie Sonnenberg expresses her appreciation after being named Republican of the Year at the Logan County Republicans' Lincoln Day Dinner Saturday, Feb. 14. Behind her are previous Republican of the Year award recipients. (Callie Jones/Journal-Advocate)”

Sheriff Brett Powell’s announcement that he will not run for re-election was made to those gathered at the Lincoln Day Dinner; Powell did not provide a statement or reasons at the event and gave no endorsement for a successor, according to reporting from the dinner. Powell’s decision reshapes the local law enforcement political landscape in Logan County as the 2026 election cycle advances.

State office hopefuls used the dinner to address the crowd. Kevin Grantham, identified at the event as the sole Republican candidate for Colorado Treasurer, pledged to help get Colorado out of its “perpetual budget crisis” as a fiscal conservative with common sense. James Wiley, introduced as one of four candidates for Colorado Secretary of State, said he is running “to ensure elections are secure and fair.” Organizers characterized the evening as a “parade of 2026 candidates,” though not all speakers were listed in announcements.

Local Republicans have a short calendar ahead: the Logan County Republican caucus is set for March 7 at 7 p.m. at the Mitchek Event Center, and the Republican County Assembly will take place March 28 at the Sterling Middle School auditorium. The March 28 assembly will be followed by the Senate District 1 and House District 63 Assemblies to further advance nominations and delegate selection.

Several details remain to be confirmed, including Sonnenberg’s background and the specific contributions cited for her selection, the venue and attendance figures for the Feb. 14 dinner, and any formal statement from Sheriff Powell on his decision. Party officials and the named candidates did not provide extended remarks beyond what was delivered at the dinner.