North Dakota sheriff with rocky tenure loses re-election bid

WATFORD CITY, N.D. (AP) - A North Dakota sheriff who once faced a criminal charge and was suspended by the governor has lost his bid for re-election.

McKenzie County Sheriff Gary Schwartzenberger received only 39 percent of the vote in his race against challenger Matthew Johansen.

Then-Gov. Jack Dalrymple suspended Schwartzenberger in 2016 on allegations of bullying and retaliation. Gov. Doug Burgum reinstated him last year after a special commissioner ruled there wasn’t enough evidence to support his removal.

A judge in January threw out a misdemeanor charge against Schwartzenberger related to his use of a county credit card.

Johansen served as interim sheriff while Schwartzenberger was suspended.