Voters reject measure to oust controversial Pierce County sheriff

It looks like a controversial sheriff in Pierce County will keep his job as voters are rejecting a proposed amendment that would change how sheriffs are appointed. FOX 13's John Hopperstead is in the newsroom this morning with more on what that could mean. John, good morning. Good morning, Erin. Yeah, this is Amendment 53 in Pierce County that, if approved, would have no longer left it up to voters to elect the county's top cop. Instead, it would have been an appointed position. ...are against the amendment, 67% rejecting it. And Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank has said this proposal was aimed directly at him in an effort to unseat him over some outspoken speech on political issues over the years, often posted on social media. His comments on the January 6th insurrection and transgender issues, so controversial, his former employers, the Seattle police, said they were prepared to fire him had he not resigned. And ultimately, he became the elected sheriff in Pierce County. Swank, writing in Facebook, in part, quote, I understand that many of the people who voted to reject 53 don't want me to be the sheriff, but they want to maintain their right to vote for the office of sheriff. I support everyone's right to vote for the candidate of their choice. I won the election in 2024, and I won it again now in 2026. Have I won enough times to be able to finish out my term? Now, there was an addition made To that amendment that if passed meant county officials could have removed Swank right away. So he stays now until the next election. And right now, King County remains the only county where a sheriff is appointed and not elected, guys.