Michehl made the announcement on his campaign’s Facebook page.

“My intent in being sheriff stems from department and community concerns as my desire to continue moving the Webster County Sheriff’s Office in a positive direction while working on the structure of the Sheriff’s Office to ensure safer, more enjoyable communities for you, your children and the future generations that will call this county home,” Michehl said in the announcement.

Michehl’s career in law enforcement began in 2003 when he joined the Webster County Sheriff Reserves as a volunteer. In 2004, he was hired as a jailer in the Webster County Jail before being hired by the Gowrie Police Department as a reserve officer.

Michehl continued his reserves volunteering until 2007, when he was hired by the Webster City Police Department and was sent to the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy for certification. In 2011, he moved to the Okoboji Police Department until he was hired by the Webster County Sheriff’s Office in 2017.

“While working for the Okoboji Police Department I was able to have the opportunity to get training and experience with budgets, and vehicle fleet equipment while assisting the chief with wage management and policy writing,” Michehl said in his announcement. “I was on the NW Iowa Drug Task Force working narcotics on top of being a H.E.A.T. team member which is an Iowa/Minnesota SWAT team.”

In the 2020 election, Michehl ran as a Democrat, losing the primary to WCSO Sgt. Tony Walter.

Fleener announced his plans to seek reelection early last month.