County Sheriff: Fortney is an independent sheriff

Published 1:30 am Saturday, November 4, 2023

I am voting for Adam Fortney for county sheriff. He has done a great job as county sheriff for the last four years. He is endorsed by every police guild or union in Snohomish County. He is an independent sheriff, which is so important.

His opponent, Susanna Johnson, is highly qualified; I will not argue that point. My issues with Johnson are that she was retired from law enforcement, so does she really want to run the sheriff’s department? And she is endorsed, supported and has embraced support from individuals, organizations and elected officials who believe in #defundthepolice and are in favor of criminals and not victims and hard-working, law-abiding people of Snohomish County. Johnson is supported by the elected and hired elites of Snohomish County. There is a group of people who have been elected and some hired by County Executive Dave Somers who collect six-figure paychecks to do nothing or exactly what he wants. I don’t believe Johnson will stand up against these powers, I think she is in line with them and will not serve as an independent sheriff.

I therefore am voting for, supporting, and endorsing Sheriff Adam Fortney. I urge you all to do the same. Tell your family, friends, and neighbors to support him. We need to keep the sheriff’s office independent, enforcing the law, and having our deputies’ backs.

Todd Welch

Lake Stevens