Ursula: Pierce County voters deserve a say on whether their sheriff is elected or appointed
Jun 17, 2026, 2:00 PM
Deputies with the Pierce County Sheriff's Office respond to a crime scene. (Photo courtesy of the Pierce County Sheriff's Office)
(Photo courtesy of the Pierce County Sheriff's Office)
In November, Pierce County voters will decide whether their sheriff should continue to be elected or instead be appointed by the county executive and confirmed by the county council.
Let’s keep it real. This debate is happening because of Sheriff Keith Swank.
Supporters of the change point to Swank’s repeated clashes with lawmakers, his resistance to oversight, and controversial comments about trans people, immigration, and people of color.
Just a couple of recent examples: He asked on social media whether it’s time to ban trans people from owning guns and later described being transgender as a mental health issue.
Sheriff Swank has also denigrated the Washington State Patrol, saying they aren’t real law enforcement. And on our show, he told our listeners they should never agree to a field sobriety test if stopped by police.
Odd advice coming from the Sheriff, especially because he said it after a member of his command staff was arrested for vehicular assault for driving drunk and crashing into a family van.
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A sheriff is supposed to serve everyone, Swank has repeatedly shown he won’t
Swank is a loose cannon. He’s a liability for Pierce County, and right now, voters and lawmakers have little recourse other than waiting for the next election.
That’s why I support giving voters the chance to make this decision.
A sheriff is supposed to serve everyone in the county, regardless of race, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, or immigration status. Swank has repeatedly demonstrated that he is either unwilling or unable to do that.
You can agree with his politics or disagree with them. That’s not really the issue.
The issue is accountability.
If a sheriff becomes ineffective, loses public trust, or decides the rules don’t apply to him, should the public have some option other than waiting four years for the next election?
Maybe voters will decide an elected sheriff is still the best system. That’s their right. But they should have the opportunity to weigh in on that question in November.
Listen to Gee and Ursula on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on KIRO Newsradio.
Follow @https://twitter.com/UrsulaKIROFM
