Pierce County officials sue to block charter amendment that would remove elected sheriff

Multiple former Pierce County officials are suing the county to challenge a proposal that would change the position of sheriff from elected to appointed.

Several amendments to Pierce County’s charter will be on the ballot this November, including Charter Amendment 53, which would change the Pierce County Sheriff from an elected position to an appointed one. If this proposal passes, it would consequently terminate Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank’s four-year term on January 1, 2027. Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello would then appoint a new sheriff.

“Mello has publicly stated he is ready to appoint, and it will not be Swank,” the lawsuit, obtained by KIRO Newsradio, read. “Mello is seeking to convert elected offices to appointed offices to centralize control of county government in his office.”

The lawsuit was filed by Hollie Rogge, a former representative for District 3 in Pierce County, Brian Sonntag, a former Pierce County clerk and auditor, and Jeff Joseph, a former Republican committee officer.

“Charter Amendment 53 invades my right to elect a sheriff,” Sonntag wrote in the lawsuit. “Amendment 53 violates my rights as a resident to service from the elected sheriff for his full four-year term.”

Swank additionally voiced his support in the lawsuit, adding that he is filing what he calls the “People’s Charter Amendment” Wednesday. The measure would preserve the elected, nonpartisan sheriff position, restore a four-year term approved by voters in 2024, and establish term limits for the sheriff, auditor, and assessor-treasurer.

Supporters would have 180 days to gather signatures after a ballot title is approved.

“Sheriff Swank was elected during a presidential election when voter turnout was at its highest,” the lawsuit read. “Amendment 53 will be on the ballot where far fewer voters will decide the outcome.”

Since Swank replaced former Sheriff Ed Troyer in the November 2024 election, defeating Patti Jackson, he has been in the spotlight for comments he’s made publicly and on social media.

In the lawsuit, Rogge stated concerns that Amendment 53 would set a “dangerous precedent” by overruling and dismissing the recall process for removing an elected official.

“If an elected officer may be removed by Charter Amendment, the council would have the power to recommend Pierce County voters amend the Pierce County Charter to eliminate any office, and its office holder whose speech does not align with majority rule, without a recall process,” Rogge wrote in the lawsuit. “This would include fellow councilmembers.”

This is a developing story, check back for updates

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