County sheriff’s race: Johnson will restore competence to jail

I was a staunch supporter of Sheriff Adam Fortney, serving as his appointed Corrections Bureau chief, contributing to his re-election campaign and defense against recall efforts during his current term. With more than 23 years of experience in corrections, I became the county’s leading expert on jail-related matters, staff, and inmate issues.

Over time, I grew increasingly disillusioned with Fortney’s management of the Sheriff’s Office, particularly how it was negatively affecting the jail’s safety, security and constitutional standards for both inmates and staff.

In response to my opposition, Fortney removed me from command, appointing an individual with no corrections experience to Bureau Chief, which I viewed as an intentional and demoralizing move. This shift in leadership was reckless, leading to multiple crises, potentially contributing to opioid overdoses and inmate deaths, compounded by severe staffing shortages, excessive overtime, and the challenges stemming from covid-19, the fentanyl epidemic, and the prevalence of untreated mentally ill individuals in our community.

The sheriff’s campaign page’s dishonest statements regarding the jail are deeply disheartening to those working there.

My support now lies with Susanna Johnson, a highly qualified candidate I have collaborated with for many years. I believe she will restore credibility, even temperament, competence, and maturity back to the elected Sheriff’s Office by addressing public safety issues transparently. I regret my previous support for Fortney, as it appears he is prioritizing his retention over the well-being of the office, its employees, and the community.

Please vote for Susanna Johnson for Sheriff!

Jamie Kane

Stanwood