Robert Sutherland, left, Garth Fell and Cindy Gobel.

Robert Sutherland, left, Garth Fell and Cindy Gobel.

Sutherland, an election denier, teases run for Snohomish County auditor

Auditor Garth Fell and Cindy Gobel are on course for a rematch. The outgoing GOP lawmaker would change the tone of the contest.

EVERETT — Outgoing state Rep. Robert Sutherland is pondering a run for Snohomish County auditor next year, potentially putting the Republican who questioned results of the last presidential election in charge of counting ballots in the next one.

“It is fair to say I am seriously contemplating running,” he confirmed last week.

Sutherland, who lost re-election to the state House in November, said he got a good response from party activists when he revealed his interest at a Snohomish County Republican Party meeting earlier this month.

“I’ve not decided whether or not I will pursue that race,” he wrote in an email. “I will say those present seemed very happy about that possibility, based on their applause.”

In the meantime, Auditor Garth Fell and Cindy Gobel, the candidate Fell defeated for the job in 2019, are already on course for a rematch. Each formed a political committee and filed paperwork with the state Public Disclosure Commission to raise money.

In their 2019 duel, Fell captured 51% and finished with roughly 4,200 more votes than Gobel.

“I am certainly proud of the work we’ve done and what we’ve been able to accomplish this term,” said Fell, of Meadowdale, last week. “There’s more work to do.”

One major project entails consolidating election-related operations in one place, the third floor of the county’s Administration Building. Required renovations could be completed by the 2024 primary, Fell said.

Another focal point, he said, is expanding use of social media outlets to disseminate information that will bolster the public’s understanding of and trust in the election process, he said.

Gobel, a Marysville resident, worked in the voter registration unit of the county’s elections division before moving to the certification and training division of the Secretary of State’s Office in 2017. She left that job in August.

Though she lost, she said she felt “very positive” after the 2019 election.

“There’s work to be done in our county so I am going to run again,” she said.

That work includes finding ways to get more young people to vote and to ensure the community’s diverse population is fully engaged in the electoral process, she said.

Sutherland’s entry would add at least one interesting wrinkle. Three candidates would trigger a primary, which didn’t occur in 2019. And though the auditor is a nonpartisan job, it won’t feel that way if Sutherland enters the race.

Since 2020, Republicans who embrace former President Donald Trump’s lies of widespread voter fraud costing him the election have run for local and state election offices across the county.

Steve Duenkel is one such voice. In November he became Mason County’s new auditor after beating the incumbent.

Neither Gobel nor Fell voiced concern about Sutherland joining the race. Nor did either criticize his past calls for a forensic audit of Washington results, in which President Joe Biden collected 58% to Trump’s 39%.

“I’m not surprised to hear he’s interested in running. The more the merrier,” Gobel said. “I think he has a message that does appeal to some people. I think our voters need options. They should have very high expectations for this office.”

Fell said he’ll trust the electorate.

“Ultimately voters get to decide who will lead the office. Voters want an experienced proven professional in this position,” he said. “I am willing to put my record in front of voters and against any candidates who they are qualified for the position.”

Sutherland, who will be replaced in the Legislature next month by Republican Sam Low, has time to decide.

Candidate filing for the 2023 election cycle is in May.

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @dospueblos

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Students from Explorer Middle School gather Wednesday around a makeshift memorial for Emiliano “Emi” Munoz, who died Monday, May 5, after an electric bicycle accident in south Everett. (Aspen Anderson / The Herald)
Community and classmates mourn death of 13-year-old in bicycle accident

Emiliano “Emi” Munoz died from his injuries three days after colliding with a braided cable.

Danny Burgess, left, and Sandy Weakland, right, carefully pull out benthic organisms from sediment samples on Thursday, May 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Got Mud?’ Researchers monitor the health of the Puget Sound

For the next few weeks, the state’s marine monitoring team will collect sediment and organism samples across Puget Sound

Everett postal workers gather for a portrait to advertise the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County letter carriers prepare for food drive this Saturday

The largest single-day food drive in the country comes at an uncertain time for federal food bank funding.

Everett
Everett considers ordinance to require more apprentice labor

It would require apprentices to work 15% of the total labor hours for construction or renovation on most city projects over $1 million.

Snohomish County prosecutor Kara Van Slyck delivers closing statement during the trial of Christian Sayre at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Thursday, May 8, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Jury deliberations begin in the fourth trial of former Everett bar owner

Jury members deliberated for about 2 hours before Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Millie Judge sent them home until Monday.

Christian Sayre sits in the courtroom before the start of jury selection on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Christian Sayre timeline

FEBRUARY 2020 A woman reports a sexual assault by Sayre. Her sexual… Continue reading

Christian Sayre walks out of the courtroom in handcuffs after being found guilty on two counts of indecent liberties at the end of his trial at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Monday, May 12, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Former bar owner convicted on two of three counts of sexual abuse

A jury deliberated for about 8 hours before returning guilty verdicts on two charges of indecent liberties Monday.

From left: Patrick Murphy, Shawn Carey and Justin Irish.
Northshore school board chooses 3 finalists in superintendent search

Shaun Carey, Justin Irish and Patrick Murphy currently serve as superintendents at Washington state school districts.

Paine Field Community Day returns Saturday, May 17

The youth-focused celebration will feature aircraft displays, talks with pilots and a variety of local food vendors.

FILE — Jet fuselages at Boeing’s fabrication site in Everett, Wash., Sept. 28, 2022. Some recently manufactured Boeing and Airbus jets have components made from titanium that was sold using fake documentation verifying the material’s authenticity, according to a supplier for the plane makers. (Jovelle Tamayo/The New York Times)
Boeing adding new space in Everett despite worker reduction

Boeing is expanding the amount of space it occupies in… Continue reading

Kyle Parker paddles his canoe along the Snohomish River next to Langus Riverfront Park on Thursday, May 8, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tip to Tip: Kyle Parker begins his canoe journey across the country

The 24-year-old canoe fanatic started in Neah Bay and is making his way up the Skykomish River.

Carli Brockman lets her daughter Carli, 2, help push her ballot into the ballot drop box on the Snohomish County Campus on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Here’s who filed for the primary election in Snohomish County

Positions with three or more candidates will go to voters Aug. 5 to determine final contenders for the Nov. 4 general election.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.