Sheriff Hutchinson Won't Run For Re-election, Refuses To Resign

MINNEAPOLIS — Hennepin County Sheriff Dave Hutchinson announced Wednesday that he will not seek reelection this fall following his December DWI crash.

Hutchinson said he won't resign, however, and will serve out the remainder of his one and only term in office.

"I have made the difficult decision not to seek re-election in the 2022 election," Hutchinson said in a statement acquired by FOX 9's Paul Blume. "This was one of the hardest decisions I have had to make in my life, but after spending the past month having discussions with family, friends, and supporters, I realize that this decision is best for the community, our agency, and for me."

Hutchinson was convicted of a DWI in a single-car crash that happened just outside of Alexandria on Interstate 94 on Dec. 8. His blood alcohol content was .13, police said. Crash reports show Hutchinson was driving faster than 125 mph seconds before he crashed and rolled his county-owned SUV.

He was sentenced to two years of probation after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor DWI.

Hutchinson lied to a police officer moments after his December DWI crash, telling him he wasn't the one driving the vehicle, a video from the investigation shows.

Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan have both called for Hutchinson's resignation.

While saying that he hopes Hutchinson gets the help he needs, Walz in January called the crash a "breach of trust" and said that "most Minnesotans understand that there are consequences to actions like that."

Flanagan spoke as a constituent of Hennepin County and said that "it is time for him to resign."