SHAWANO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) – Shawano County Sheriff Adam Bieber will not be running for re-election.
Bieber filed his non-candidacy papers on Monday. In an interview with WTCH Daily News, he shared why he feels it’s time to step away.
“We’ve been discussing it and trying to figure out what we wanted to do as a family…The biggest factor in this decision is my family’s schedules and making sure that I can be available for all of my kids activities, whatever they’re doing,” Bieber said. “There is a window of opportunity for me to make sure my family is in a good spot. I only have 6 or 7 years with the sons that I have and I want to make sure I don’t miss that.”
He said the other factor was some of the challenges that the last two years brought the world of politics.
“I have no problem falling on the sword of dealing with the politics and the stress, and to stand for our freedoms and Bill of Rights, and to stand for everything that America originally stood for…It shouldn’t be a career in politics. You should serve a moment in your life and move on,” Bieber said. “This last couple of years, COVID-19, restrictions, and mandates started and it left no doubt what God intended my purpose to be and at this point in my life, I feel like I have served that purpose, and I am ready to move on and focus on things that are important to me and my family.”
That includes a rift between the Sheriff’s Department and County Board, as Bieber didn’t quite see eye-to-eye with members on certain topics. He also fought to get squad cars and body cameras for the department in the past year.
Bieber says the decision was made a few months ago, but he wanted to get a few things in order first.
“I wanted to make sure I announced early enough so that if folks are interested in running, they can get prepared,” Bieber said. “It’s time for someone else to pick up the torch and run with it.”
One individual has told Bieber that they intend to run. He hopes they do.
“He’s a great person and can easily handle the responsibilities, and is a great leader and mentor to many…I’ll always let people know what my opinion is, whether you like it or not, I’ll let you know what it is. And if there’s a candidate out there that I support 100-percent? I’ll throw my total support behind that person,” Bieber said. “Obviously, I really care about our Bill of Rights and our freedoms and smaller government. And I want to make sure that philosophy doesn’t change just because I walk away.”
Looking back over his tenure, Bieber says he wouldn’t have done much – if anything – differently.
“I have no regrets about the past seven years. The decisions I’ve made over the past seven years are things I deeply believe in, and I’ll never apologize for standing up for our rights, our freedoms, our liberties,” Bieber said. “I’m going to miss being sheriff, but I know I’m going to enjoy the new challenges and new opportunities that are ahead of me.”
Bieber will spend this year wrapping up his second term, and says just because he’s planning to leave doesn’t mean there isn’t still work to get done.
“We are focused on training our citizens and continuing to inform the community with information that they need to know. I also really want to focus on making our roadways safer,” Bieber said.
One intersection he named in particular is County Highway B and Highway 22 near Shawano High School. Bieber says that is road and intersection that can be improved, and suggested potentially installing a roundabout in the area.
Bieber has served as Shawano County Sheriff since January of 2015 when he was sworn in after defeating incumbent Sheriff Randy Wright in both the primary and general elections. He was re-elected in 2018.
