WA GOP leader criticizes ‘anti-sheriff’ bill
By Dan Thesman on Monday, February 16th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
OLYMPIA – Washington State Senate Republican leader John Braun (R-Lewis County) is sharply criticizing a Senate-passed “anti-sheriff” bill that would grant a governor-appointed commission the power to decertify elected officials.
The proposal mandates that sheriff candidates pass background checks and possess five years of law enforcement experience. Additionally, it empowers the Criminal Justice Training Commission to decertify officials they deem unfit. This legislation would require local jurisdictions to remove any decertified official from office, expanding the commission’s role in overseeing the qualifications of elected sheriffs.
Braun argues the measure undermines local voters, contending that existing constitutional recall and election processes already provide sufficient oversight for law enforcement leaders.
“There’s no reason for the Democratic majority to overstep the people and think that they get to decide who your Sheriff is in your county,” Braun said.
The legislation passed the Senate along strict party lines without a single Republican vote. The bill now advances to the state House for consideration. If enacted, legal experts suggest the law would likely face immediate challenges in court.
File photo of Washington State Capitol
