WA Lawsuit Challenges Plan to Replace Elected Sheriff With Appointed Position

A controversial proposal to make the Pierce County sheriff an appointed rather than elected position is headed for a legal fight. Amendment 53 is currently set to appear on the November ballot and, if approved, would allow the Pierce County executive to appoint the sheriff beginning in 2027. Current Sheriff Keith Swank argues the proposal is aimed at removing him from office before his elected term expires. A lawsuit seeking to keep the amendment off the ballot includes former Washington State Auditor Brian Sonntag, who says the issue is about preserving voters' ability to choose their sheriff. Swank is also detailing an encounter with Seattle interim Police Chief Andre Sales following a recent law enforcement graduation ceremony. Swank says he interpreted Sales' comments as a challenge to fight following Swank's public criticism of former Seattle Police Chief Shawn Barnes. The Seattle Police Department disputes Swank's account. SPD Sgt. Patrick Michaud said Swank's description was "not a true recollection of the conversation," but the department declined to provide its own detailed account of what was said. Watch Washington in Focus Daily for more on Washington politics, public safety, elections and government accountability. #Washington #PierceCounty #KeithSwank #Seattle #SeattlePolice #WAPolitics #PublicSafety #Election2026 #WashingtonPolitics #GovernmentAccountability #TheCenterSquare