MONROE — Green County decided Tuesday to replace Sheriff Mark Rohloff with Jeff Skatrud, the man he replaced half a decade ago after the former sheriff resigned midway through his term.

The midterm election leaned toward the Democrats in each race on the ticket, with the exception of the state Senate and Assembly districts, which were tight races in favor of the Republican incumbents.

That preference for a party is largely what led to his defeat, Rohloff said.

“We know there is a strong Democratic influence in Green County,” he said, adding that it was seen in the election results.

“I was very cautious about my outlook on the future and that pretty much bears out,” Rohloff said.

Of nearly 17,000 votes, Skatrud took more than 52 percent of the total ballots, winning with 8,801 votes. Rohloff fell short with 7,994 votes at 47.5 percent of the total.

Rohloff said his initial reaction was “just disappointment,” but despite that, he called for everyone to support the newly elected sheriff.

“Being sheriff is a tough job and you need the county behind you,” Rohloff said.

For Skatrud, the results were not necessarily shocking, but he and his supporters are “very excited.” He also said he appreciated the work Rohloff has done for Green County and looks forward to working with him in the transition.

Skatrud credited the support of his campaign and his performance as sheriff prior to his abrupt departure in 2013 for his success at the polls. 

For Rohloff, he still has to get up and go to work in the morning, and said he hopes the programs currently being developed can still exist despite a change in administration. For Skatrud, the plans are not solidified, but he said he knows he plans to first “curtail” the frequency of quality officers leaving the department.

Democrat Monica Hack, who was running for coroner unopposed, was voted in with 12,828 ballots and just over 98 percent. There were 255 write-in votes. Barbara Miller kept her seat as Clerk of Circuit Court with 97 percent of the total votes and 12,709 ballots in her favor. There were 355 write-in ballots cast.

The countywide referendum, which called for a tax neutral $790,000 added to the tax levy in order to address operational and facility needs for Pleasant View Nursing Home, passed with nearly 54 percent of the vote and a total of 9,738 votes in favor of the referendum. There were 6,786 votes against the measure.