The Mower County elections just got interesting.

Very interesting.

Patrick W. Flanagan wants his boss' job.

Flanagan is an assistant Mower County attorney.

His boss is Patrick A. Oman, the Mower County Attorney, who is running for a third four-year term in office.

"Everybody is free to pursue whatever political avenue they wish," said Oman, reacting to Flanagan's announcement Thursday.

Jonathan Olson was hired to replace former chief deputy Mower County Attorney Glen Jacobsen and Flanagan was later hired to fill the position Olson occupied before becoming chief deputy county attorney. Olson was not available for comment today.

What makes Flanagan's announcement more newsworthy is his campaign co-chairs. They are Austin Police Chief Paul M. Philipp and Mower County Sheriff Barry J. Simonson. Also on Flanagan's campaign committee is Grand Meadow Police Chief Jim Richardson, plus two Austin Police Department detectives, Dave Schaefer and Tom Stiehm.

Flanagan waited until Oman returned to his duties Thursday to make his announcement.

Also, he took pains Thursday to formally file his candidacy with Mower County Attorney Woody Vereide, during the assistant county attorney's mid-day lunch break.

"Over the past several months members of the community have approached me on numerous occasions to find out my interest in running for county attorney," Flanagan said.

"While I entertained the idea and was flattered by the support, I denied these initial requests," he said.

However,

Flanagan also said he had more conversations with community members in recent weeks, which caused him to rethink the situation.

Flanagan's campaign platform includes

providing victims, law enforcement and "this community" with a "County Attorney's office that is prepared and dedicated to cooperation, communication and efficiency, resulting in fair but firm prosecution."

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at :mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com