Pierce County Panel Sends Sheriff Appointment Measure to November Ballot, Threatening Swank's 2028 Term
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jun 17
Pierce County Panel Sends Sheriff Appointment Measure to November Ballot, Threatening Swank's 2028 Term
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 17
Summary
Monday's vote by the Pierce County Charter Review Commission put a November ballot measure before voters that would let the county executive appoint the sheriff, subject to County Council confirmation.
Jan. 1, 2027 is the proposed start date, meaning Sheriff Keith Swank says he could be removed midway through his four-year term even though he is not up for re-election until 2028.
Swank argues the measure is a partisan effort to oust him over his outspoken positions on transgender issues, immigration enforcement and other culture-war disputes rather than a neutral governance change.
Jake Hunter, who introduced the effort, said recent events raised accountability and governance concerns, as Swank has recently drawn attention for posts on transgender issues and for announcing an investigation into testosterone vials found in a school Pride display.