Schram leads Walla Walla County sheriff race
By Dan Thesman on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
WALLA WALLA COUNTY — Chief Deputy Richard Schram took a commanding lead Tuesday night in the race for Walla Walla County Sheriff, securing over 62 percent of the vote in preliminary general election returns.
Schram, a 23-year veteran of the sheriff’s office who has served as chief deputy for the past nine years, led challenger Ashley Daschofsky with 4,612 votes (62.7 percent) to 2,667 votes (36.3 percent). Both candidates campaigned preferring the Republican Party. Write-in ballots accounted for just over 1 percent.
Speaking Tuesday night to Elkhorn Media Group following the initial tally, Schram said his immediate focus will be uniting the department through a 100-day plan.
“It’s legitimately about focusing on the future and looking within to let people know, look, this is politics, there are no hard feelings, we are one team,” Schram said. “Job one is to be there for our community.”
Facing perennial county budget constraints, Schram identified deputy retention as his foremost priority heading into upcoming budget talks with county commissioners. Unlike many county law enforcement agencies, the Walla Walla County Jail is managed separately by commissioners rather than the sheriff’s office.
Daschofsky, a sheriff’s deputy, former military police officer, and longtime K-9 handler, campaigned on trimming administrative roles and increasing patrol resources and code enforcement.
Schram credited his campaign volunteers and community members who welcomed him across the county.
“This is just the beginning of building our community back up and making sure that our deputies are a part of that,” he said.
More ballots remain to be tallied before the election is certified later this month.
