Jason Bartholomew Announces Candidacy For Washburn County Sheriff

WASHBURN COUNTY -- Jason Bartholomew, known to many as Bart, has announced his candidacy for the Office of Sheriff of Washburn County, bringing with him 20 years of dedicated service to the community and the Sheriff’s Office.

Bartholomew has proudly called Washburn County home for the past two decades. He is a husband to his wife, Gwen, and a father of two young boys. He believes that strong families, safe communities, and accountable leadership are the foundation of effective law enforcement.

Originally from Lake Nebagamon, Bartholomew is a graduate of Northwestern High School and Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, where he earned an associate degree in Criminal Justice Corrections. While attending WITC, he began his law enforcement career working part-time for both the Sawyer County and Washburn County Sheriff’s Offices. In 2005, he was hired full-time by the Washburn County Sheriff’s Office as a Jailer and Dispatcher.

In 2008, after completing the WITC Law Enforcement Academy, Bartholomew became a state-certified law enforcement officer. He went on to serve in multiple roles, including Patrol Deputy, where he was primarily assigned to the northern portion of Washburn County. During that time, he took great pride in building relationships within the community by attending village and township meetings, listening to residents’ concerns, and working collaboratively to address local needs.

Bartholomew was selected to serve on the Washburn County Special Response Team, where he dedicated ten years of service and ultimately held the position of Team Leader. He also played a key role in strengthening the Sheriff’s Office by helping develop and implement the county’s Field Training Officer program, ensuring new deputies were properly trained, prepared, and supported from the start of their careers.

Since 2016, Bartholomew has served as an Investigator for the Washburn County Sheriff’s Office. In this role, he has handled complex and challenging cases, many of which resulted in successful prosecutions and accountability for offenders. His investigative work has required effective communication, careful attention to detail, and a commitment to listening to victims, witnesses, and suspects. He has also been entrusted with overseeing major incidents and coordinating resources while working closely with surrounding law enforcement agencies across the region.

Bartholomew said his decision to run for sheriff is rooted in his long-term commitment to Washburn County and his belief that his experience across all levels of the Sheriff’s Office provides the perspective needed to lead effectively. As sheriff, he is committed to strengthening community trust, supporting and training deputies, managing resources responsibly, and ensuring taxpayers receive value from their public safety investment.

“Washburn County is a special place,” Bartholomew said. “I am committed to serving with honesty, ensuring equal application of the law, strong values, and to working alongside our community to keep it safe for generations to come.”

After 20 years of service to Washburn County, Bartholomew said he is ready to take on the leadership role of sheriff with honor and integrity. He respectfully asks for the support and vote of Washburn County residents. The Washburn County Primary Election will be held on August 11, 2026, Bartholomew will be running as a Republican Candidate.

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