SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. — Susanna Johnson was sworn in Tuesday morning for Snohomish County sheriff after she was elected to the position in November 2023.
Johnson won the election with 52% of the vote over incumbent Adam Fortney. Johnson spent 30 years with the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office only to retire briefly before joining the Bothell Police Department as a deputy chief.
"This is obviously an incredible honor and also an incredible responsibility," Johnson said at her swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday. "It's because I'm elected that I'm acutely aware of who I work for."
Johnson, who became the county's 33rd sheriff, said her top priority will be restoring trust in the sheriff's office that she feels has been politicized in recent years.
"I think a lot of it has to do, maybe, with some extreme politics that came in this time," Johnson said in November.
Fortney survived two recall attempts after the outspoken sheriff expressed his displeasure with Gov. Jay Inslee's COVID lockdowns via Facebook posts, saying he would not enforce a "stay at home" order.
Fortney rose through the ranks as a graveyard patrol sergeant to become sheriff four years ago.
"I recognize the badge of this office is a badge of public trust and I must be true to my oath every day to continue to work and I'm very aware of that," Johnson said.
In November, Johnson said it would be difficult for people to tell which sheriff candidates were Democrats and which were Republicans.
"My fundamental duty of course is to serve the entire community with humility, respect and constitutional rights for all, of course."