• Editor’s note: Last night was the open-to-the-public candidates forum in Yelm.
• This is the first election in 12 years where the incumbent sheriff had a challenger.
• Having the candidates here in-person contrasted the current sheriff with a challenger “running to restore trust, rebuild employee morale, and fight for increased public safety.”
• Challenger Derek Sanders was exceptionally articulate and well-versed in the issues, has a vision for the future, and brings a passion with “fire in his belly” that I found refreshing for this position after a dozen years.
• The voters will decide if the time has arrived after a dozen years, for a change in the sheriff office’s leadership.
• I join with these officials and organizations who are confident that Derek Sanders would be a competent Thurston County Sheriff.
• Click here to read the event summary from the The Chronicle.
• UPDATE: October 23rd from The Olympian: Thurston Sheriff’s race heats up. Here’s where Snaza, Sanders stand on the issues

Read more at: https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article267445012.html#storylink=cpy

Thurston Sheriff’s race heats up. Here’s where Snaza, Sanders stand on the issues

Read more at: https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article267445012.html#storylink=cpy

Sheriff candidate alleges incumbent started misconduct investigation for political gain

From The Olympian:

Thurston County Sheriff’s deputy Derek Sanders, who is running against his boss, Sheriff John Snaza, has accused Snaza of authorizing an investigation into Sanders’ conduct for political gain.

Sanders’ campaign issued a news release on Friday addressing the investigation and related rumors that have circulated on social media.

In the release, Sanders alleged Snaza had him placed him under investigation for “misconduct and social media campaign violations.” Sanders told The Olympian that Snaza had approved the investigation the night Sanders won the August primary.

“The whole time they said, ‘It’s not political,’” Sanders said. “But the actions are completely opposite of that.” When reached for comment, Snaza said he learned about a complaint against Sanders a week before the primary but did not directly participate in the investigation. He denied orchestrating the investigation for political gain.

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Sanders signed a documented oral warning on Sept. 27, he said. A copy of the document reviewed by The Olympian corroborated the warning Sanders described. Though he accepted the discipline, Sanders said he has filed a grievance about the investigation. Snaza said Sanders could appeal the discipline he received internally or go to the county commissioners.

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