O'Boyle to face challenger in primary

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Pierce County District Attorney John O’Boyle will have an opponent in the Tuesday, Aug. 14, primary election.

Sean Froelich, River Falls, garnered enough signatures to have his name on the ballot by the June 1 deadline, according to the Government Accountability Board’s website. Froelich, a 32-year-old, worked previously as a police officer for the City of River Falls, Pierce County Sheriff’s Department and Village of Ellsworth from 2003-2006. He currently works as a Compliance Specialist for Fraser, a non-profit company based in Minneapolis.

Froelich achieved his undergraduate degree from UW-River Falls and went on to earn his law degree from William Mitchell College of Law.

“It was a combination of a few things,” Froelich said about running. “I think Pierce County needs a fresh voice and I think I can improve communications with law enforcement.”

He added his goals between now and Aug. 14 are to reach out to the community, hit the ground running and let Pierce County know who he is.

O’Boyle, 49, has been the district attorney since 1992. Both candidates registered as a Democrat.

Meanwhile, incumbent Treasurer Phyllis Beastrom, Register of Deeds Vicki Nelson and County Clerk Jamie Feuerhelm also qualified by the deadline to have their names on the November ballot. All three will be running unopposed.

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