My name is Nathan Budin, and as a 25-year veteran of the Rice County Sheriff’s Office, I am officially announcing my candidacy for Rice County Sheriff in the 2026 election. This decision follows Sheriff Jesse Thomas’s announcement that he will retire at the end of his term this December.
I have lived in Rice County since 2004. I grew up on a farm in rural Northfield, just across the border in Dakota County and graduated from Northfield High School. My career in public safety began in 2000, as an officer for the Lonsdale Police Department.
I started my tenure with Rice County in December 2000 as a Correctional Officer. After serving as a Water Patrol Deputy in the summer of 2001, I was hired as a full-time Deputy Sheriff that August. Over the last two and a half decades, I have risen through the ranks while serving in several capacities. During my time as a Patrol Deputy, I also served as a K-9 Deputy, a member of our SWAT team, a Field Training Officer, and a Use of Force Instructor and an Investigator.
In 2011, I was promoted to Sergeant, and I spent over a decade in supervisory roles—including four years as a Patrol Sergeant and six years as the Investigations Sergeant.
In 2023, I was promoted to my current rank of Captain. In this role, I oversee the Investigations Unit, Courthouse Security, Water Patrol, the Dive Team, and various administrative functions.
I believe that the best way to serve Rice County is by investing in our people. Our office is composed of dedicated professionals who truly care about the residents they serve. Our employees understand that when they are helping someone, it may be on one of the worst days of their life. Whether they are deputy, correctional officer, a member of our support staff, or involved in the courthouse security, we all share the same mission.
As your Sheriff, I will ensure our staff has the resources, training, and support necessary to help our citizens through those difficult times.
I have been a part of apprehending many dangerous criminals over my career. As crime evolves, we will continue to adapt and overcome challenges and keep our citizens safe.
I am honored to have served this county for a quarter-century. I look forward to meeting with you in the coming months to discuss how we can continue to build a safe community together.
