By Luisa Loi
La Conner Community News
Four candidates who forced competitive races for Skagit County offices used Monday night’s League of Women Voters candidates forum in Mount Vernon to discuss looming budget cuts, administrative experience and interpretations of the law.
Cody Hart, Derrill Fussell, Amanda Toscano and Timothy Garrison each advanced to the November ballot after drawing more than 1,000 write-in primary votes in otherwise uncontested races for sheriff, coroner, clerk and treasurer.
The candidates describe themselves as “constitutional” challengers to what they call entrenched county leadership.
Sheriff candidates differ on following the law
The sheriff’s race presents a sharp contrast between a career law enforcement administrator and a constitutional sheriff candidate who says he would challenge laws he believes violate individual rights.
Independent Chris Baldwin has spent 32 years with the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office and now serves as chief of field operations. Republican Hart is a military veteran and self-described government watchdog. He identified himself as a “constitutional sheriff,” a movement that believes a sheriff’s powers “supersede those of any agent, officer, elected official or employee from any level of government when in the jurisdiction of the county,” according to the States United Democracy Center.
Asked how they would handle laws they personally oppose, Baldwin said he would set aside his views and enforce the law. Hart said he would comply when required but use his litigation experience to challenge laws he believes are unconstitutional.
That split was clear on the Keep Washington Working Act, which limits state and local participation in federal immigration enforcement. Baldwin said the Sheriff’s Office would continue to follow the law. Hart said he would have to comply or Gov. Bob Ferguson would have him arrested, though he believes the act is unconstitutional.
Coroner candidates emphasize communication
The coroner’s race pits a newly appointed coroner with a background in laboratory science against a retired business executive who emphasizes management experience and his personal experience dealing with the office after the death of his son.
Democrat Alex Lathum was appointed coroner last month after Hayley Thompson stepped down. He holds a master’s degree in science and has served as lead microbiologist for COVID-19 and STI teams at the state Department of Health.
Republican Fussell previously managed a bulb farm, served in the White House West Wing and Pacific Naval Command Center, and retired as a tech CEO. Both candidates said communicating with grieving families during an investigation was a priority.
Lathum said his laboratory and public-health work gave him experience managing teams, maintaining certifications, overseeing public funds and conducting investigations. Fussell mentioned his business management experience and said he would need to do research as well to stay informed on best practices, and would make sure that all the resources necessary are available to the entire office.
Budget cuts dominate race for treasurer
The county treasurer’s race contrasts a longtime county official who emphasizes institutional experience and modernization with a veteran accountant who says he would bring an outside financial perspective to the office.
Democrat Jackie Brunson has served as treasurer for eight years and has worked for Skagit County for 34 years.
Republican challenger Garrison holds a master’s degree in finance and worked as an accountant for more than 50 years.
Brunson said she has worked on modernizing the office, digitizing records, cross-training staff, introducing a new cashiering system, and updating policies to reflect current laws.
Both agreed the budget is the greatest challenge facing the treasurer’s office. The county treasurer, assessor and auditor offices are scheduling mandatory closures due to countywide budget shortfalls. Brunson said the offices have discussed this issue and decided to close on the same days, as a lot of the people typically visit all three offices at once. Garrison said it will be a challenge figuring out how to make the budget work, but intends to look into issues and come up with solutions.
Clerk candidates differ on experience
Voters in the Skagit County clerk’s race are choosing between an incumbent with four decades of legal experience and a challenger whose background is in real estate.
Democrat Melissa Beaton said her legal background helps her navigate the rules, procedures and requirements of the clerk’s office.
Independent Toscano, who works in real estate, said her experience includes customer service, budgeting and preserving documents. Toscano said she feels like she already won by making it on the ballot, as her goal was to give people a choice in the elections process. Nevertheless, she said, she would be “happy to step in and help” if she wins.
Luisa Loi is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.
