SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. — The race for Snohomish County Sheriff pits two very different candidates against one another.
One candidate is pushing for change. The other says he is the change that has been needed in the office.
They are both veterans of the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office.
Adam Fortney rose through the ranks as a graveyard patrol sergeant to become sheriff four years ago.
"I am incredibly proud of the things we have done," says Fortney.
Susanna Johnson spent 30 years with the sheriff's office only to retire quite briefly before joining the Bothell Police Department as a deputy chief.
She now wants Fortney's job.
"There are some things I believe we could do better, including public trust," Johnson says.
Both are running on their records.
Fortney brought in body cameras to the sheriff's office, started a community advisory board, and installed a body scanner at the county jail.
His rival believes her longer career makes her the better choice.
"I was a detective, a K9 handler, a SWAT team member, a squad leader on SWAT. Also, I've done those administrative roles," Johnson says.
When asked what he plans to do over the next four years if reelected, Fortney simply states, "Keep on doing exactly what we're doing."
Fortney has survived two recall attempts after the outspoken sheriff expressed his displeasure with Gov. Inslee's COVID lockdowns via Facebook posts, saying he would not enforce a "stay at home" order.
The sheriff still stands by his decision.
"Looking back, historically speaking, I think it was the right thing to do," Fortney says. "I wish I would have worded it a little different. The last thing I wanted was to create division within the community. But if we're not, as elected officials, able to stand up and speak our mind, what are we doing here?"
"Public safety can't be left or right, republican or democrat," counters Johnson. "Especially if you use the position to state your own personal political objectives, it does undermine that public trust."
"I'm not a political guy," argues Fortney. "I don't care about blue team or red team, Republican, Democrat. I do not care."
During his tenure Fortney shepherded the department through uncharted waters: the COVID-19 pandemic, national upheaval over the killing of George Floyd and a state supreme court decision that essentially legalized small amounts of drugs.
There has been a spate of overdoses and deaths at the Snohomish County jail under Fortney's watch.
There were seven overdoses in a single night this past May. None of those seven inmates died.
Fortney argues his staff is keeping prisoners safe in spite of the deadly fentanyl epidemic.
"Fentanyl changed everything. It takes such a small amount and the people who are addicted are getting very creative with how they smuggle drugs. But I'm so incredibly proud that our team saved all seven of them. That's an incredible story. If we did not have the right things in place that would not have happened that night."
Election Day is Nov. 7. Ballots are expected to be mailed out next week.