Photo provided by Steven Laux Steven Laux, who is retiring from the Michigan State Police after 25 years, announced his candidacy this week for the Houghton County Sheriff’s Office.

HOUGHTON — A longtime Copper Country law enforcement officer is running for Houghton County sheriff.

Steven Laux, a Michigan State Police Calumet Post trooper, announced his candidacy as a Republican candidate for Houghton County sheriff this week. He would face incumbent Sheriff Brian McLean in the August primary. 

“I’m retiring from the state police, and there’s things I feel that I’d still like to accomplish in law enforcement,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of energy and enthusiasm and things I want to see done in our community.”

He spent 25 years with the MSP after starting his career with the Ishpeming Police Department. His roles have included canine handling, criminal and background investigation, search and rescue and drug interdiction.  

Laux said one of his priorities would be establishing a task force to investigate cold cases. While he would not name specific cases he wants to look at, he said it would potentially include homicides and missing-person reports.

He also said he would go over some evidentiary steps he feels were overlooked, though he did not disclose what they were. 

“Some of that evidence is probably a long shot, but I know we have to try it, because it needs to be done,” he said. 

He said he would reorganize the administration to free up more resources without adding to the budget. The cold case squad could also be aided by retirees with law enforcement experience, he said. 

“The more heads you have into this, the more resources, the better … somebody might throw in an idea that we haven’t had,” he said. 

Laux said he would also like to do more to combat the spread of methamphetamines, heroin and other drugs in the community. 

He would continue to work with detectives, area law enforcement, the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team. He would also create a K-9 unit, using German shepherds from his business he would donate to the department. 

“We want people to be very nervous, because we’re coming to find them, and they’re going to be held accountable,” he said. 

Laux did not express a preference for a potential location for a new jail, but said it would be necessary. 

“It’s a health risk, not just for inmates, but the community and staff who work there,” he said. “We have to come up with a viable option. Ultimately when that happens and what it looks like are going to be up to our voters.”

Laux said voters should choose him because he’s common-sense, hard-working and is a fourth-generation Copper Country resident. 

“When I’m away from it, I yearn to be back, and I just want what’s best for our area, its future,” he said. “I feel with my experience, my background, my love for Houghton County, I think I’m an excellent candidate.”