From Seattletimes · · 1m 10s
Voters reject sheriff removal measure
Pierce County voters keep Sheriff Swank in office after rejecting charter amendment to appoint sheriff.
In brief
Pierce County voters keep Sheriff Swank in office after rejecting charter amendment to appoint sheriff. Pierce County voters rejected Amendment 53, which would have replaced Sheriff Keith Swank with an appointed position, by 68%. Originally reported by Seattletimes.
Voters reject sheriff removal measure
Pierce County voters rejected Amendment 53, which would have replaced Sheriff Keith Swank with an appointed position, by 68%.
Remaining ballots narrow gap
The Seattle Times estimates 120,000 ballots remain to be counted, roughly matching the current approval gap.
Sheriff Swank's controversial record
Swank has publicly sparred with county officials, supported deportation efforts against state law, and faced investigations for threatening comments.
Social media controversies
Swank made anti-transgender remarks and defended the killing of Renee Good by ICE agents in Minneapolis on social media.
Charter amendment details
The amendment would have made the sheriff an appointed position by the county executive and confirmed by the County Council.
Commissioner's perspective
Jake Hunter, who drafted the amendment, said voters rejected the idea that appointing a sheriff is better than elected leadership.
Previous sheriff's issues
Ed Troyer, Swank's predecessor, was charged with making a false statement to a Black newspaper carrier in 2021.
The takeaway
Pierce County voters rejected Amendment 53, which would have replaced Sheriff Keith Swank with an appointed position, by 68%.
