Siegel edges Leinfelder by .32% in La Crosse County sheriff’s race; recount possible

John Siegel appears to have beaten Fritz Leinfelder in the race to be the next sheriff of La Crosse County.

Siegel, a Democrat, won over Leinfelder by 175 votes — 27,372-27,197, for a difference of .32 percent.

Because the difference is less than 1 percent, state law allows for the candidates to request a recount.

Both candidates are long-time veterans of the sheriff’s office — Siegel, the investigative captain, while Leinfelder is one of the investigators.