# Voters reject sheriff removal measure

> Pierce County voters keep Sheriff Swank in office after rejecting charter amendment to appoint sheriff.
- Title: Voters reject sheriff removal measure · Seattletimes
- Summary: Pierce County voters keep Sheriff Swank in office after rejecting charter amendment to appoint sheriff.
- Keywords: pierce county, sheriff, charter amendment, keith swank, pierce county sheriff, county executive, public safety ombuds, Seattletimes
- Source: Seattletimes — https://seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/voters-reject-measure-that-would-have-ousted-pierce-county-sheriff
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: pierce county, sheriff, charter amendment, keith swank, pierce county sheriff, county executive, public safety ombuds, news, local
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Pierce County voters rejected Amendment 53, which would have replaced Sheriff Keith Swank with an appointed position, by 68%.