The Snohomish County Sheriff's race is breaking fundraising records. Who are the candidates?

In many counties across Washington, sheriffs are nonpartisan, at times running unopposed.

But this year’s election in Snohomish County is different. Bothell Deputy Chief of Police Susanna Johnson, who is currently leading with 52% of the vote, is running against incumbent Sheriff Adam Fortney, who so far has garnered 47% of votes.

So far, the race has shattered county fundraising records – Johnson and Fortney’s campaigns have raked in more than $400,000.

"It's definitely a race that's caught attention, and I think the money is definitely a part of that," said Jordan Hansen, who covers Snohomish County for the Everett Herald.

Susanna Johnson is the current Bothell Deputy Chief of Police, with a career in law enforcement. She has experience working with the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office prior to her time in Bothell, where she was a K-9 officer, a detective, and a SWAT squad leader.

Adam Fortney is running on a tough on crime policy. He's a former patrol sergeant in the county's K-9 unit, and his previous campaign emphasized the need for policing policy changes, such as lighter surveillance of police activities and partnerships with local businesses to solve community issues.

This election, his campaign has emphasized ongoing issues of drug use and homelessness in the county. He believes the county sheriff should play a role in law enforcement, while understanding the complex societal issues that drive those issues. He calls his platform "accountability with compassion."

Fortney's time as sheriff, however, has become a point of controversy in the county. In April of 2020, Fortney said on Facebook that he would not carry our enforcement of the state's Covid-19 pandemic protocols, such as social distancing and business closures. He also reinstated three officers terminated from the force by the previous sheriff for warrantless searches and a use of force case.

There have been two efforts to recall Fortney, though neither garnered enough signatures to make it to a ballot.

Johnson's campaign has emphasized those criticisms of Fortney, while stating that her campaign is seeking to restore trust in county law enforcement.

Both campaigns have raised over $200,000 in funding, setting a county record for funding in a sheriff's race. Johnson's campaign has received money from the Washington State Democratic Committee, the Tulalip Tribes, and the Alliance for Gun Responsibility. Fortney's campaign has largely received donations from rural, conservative voters, as well as larger donations from the Washington State Republicans.

You can read Jordan Hansen's reporting on the race here.

Listen to the full Soundside interview by clicking "play" on the icon above.