A Washington state sheriff says a proposal that could ultimately remove him from office is being driven by political opponents angered by his outspoken views on transgender issues and other culture-war debates.Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank is promising to fight a ballot proposal that would allow county leaders to appoint, rather than elect, future sheriffs, arguing the effort is less about government reform than silencing a sheriff who refuses to fall in line."They hate me," Swank told local outlet KOMO News in an article published Tuesday, referring to what he said was a partisan push to oust him."They want to get rid of the sheriff.
They want to get rid of me so they can have complete control.The sheriff is the last thing standing between anarchy and the people."VIRGINIA’S MAP WAR LAYS BARE STATE'S SHARP PARTISAN TURN AS LEGAL FIGHT LOOMSPierce County Sheriff Keith Swank says a ballot proposal to make the position appointed rather than elected targets his views on transgender issues.
(Getty Images)KOMO News reported that Swank is "known for his controversial statements about immigration enforcement and transgender issues," and that on Monday, the Pierce County Charter Review Commission voted to place a proposal on the November ballot that, if passed, would give the Pierce County executive authority to appoint the sheriff, rather than the sheriff being elected by the voters.If approved, the Pierce County executive would appoint the sheriff, pending confirmation by the Pierce County Council.KOMO News reported that if the ballot proposal is approved, the change would take effect Jan.1, 2027.
Swank is not up for re-election until 2028.SHERIFF UNDER FIRE AMID NANCY GUTHRIE CASE ALLEGEDLY BROUGHT LOADED FIREARM TO AIRPORT CHECKPOINTAn election worker holds "I Voted" stickers at a polling station.(Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)"I'll have to be removed from office at the two-year mark of my four-year term," Swank told KOMO News.
"The establishment like...