Sheriff Gress Switches Parties After 35 Years On Democratic Ticket

NEBRASKA CITY - After serving 35 years as a Democrat, Otoe County Sheriff Jim Gress has switched party affiliation to Republican. The longest serving sheriff in Otoe County history, Gress said he has long ties with the Democratic Party. [audio mp3="http://media3.floodradio.com/columbus/2017/07/Gress-lifelong-democrat.mp3"][/audio] Gress: “Well I’ve always been a Democrat, a life-long Democrat. My grandfather was a staunch Democrat, Robert Kreifels, who lived in the Paul area, and our family has always been Democrat.” Gress said he recognizes that fewer than one in four Otoe County residents identifies as a Democrat and he expects his opponents for sheriff to file as Republicans. [audio mp3="http://media3.floodradio.com/columbus/2017/07/Gress-run-as-Republican.mp3"][/audio] Gress: “If I was going to run, I would run on the Republican party ticket because it would probably be decided in the primary elections, not the general. That was my main reason for switching at this time.” Gress is among 61 Otoe County residents to switch party affiliation since February. Twenty-six joined the Republican ranks, eight joined the Democrats and 25 switched to non-partisan. Otoe County Clerk Janene Bennett also changed party affiliation to Republican. She became clerk in 1995 and ran as a Democrat over the past 21 years. She said she thinks some of the Democrats policies are too liberal and said the Republican platform better reflects her views on social and economic issues. She said she did not think it was appropriate to switch parties after she had been elected, but since she will not seek re-election in 2018, she felt it was a proper time to switch. Gress said he is still considering seeking one more term. [audio mp3="http://media3.floodradio.com/columbus/2017/07/Gress-complex-job.mp3"][/audio] Gress: "The job is getting harder and more complex and I’m not getting any younger. I think I could still do it. My health is perfect. I feel good, but I’m thinking, if the right people run, someone else should take over and carry on.” Candidates can not officially file for the 2018 election until Dec. 1 and incumbents can wait until February before filing.