Even before Senate Bill 5974 was signed, Washington legislators knew it was headed for a lawsuit. The new law regulates requirements for county Sheriff, including giving an un-elected panel the ability to fire a Sheriff. Several weeks ago a judge put a temporary halt on it, which gives both men running for Asotin County Sheriff the ability to run in this year’s election.
“It’s important that the voters get to decide this, and they get to take into requirements the context the requirements to run for sheriff. A simple 5-year box, somebody could get that….they could get that in another state. They could be a cop in Florida.”
The five-year box he’s talking about is a requirement that anyone running must have 5 years of specific experience in law enforcement. Richards is the current Undersheriff, but doesn’t have 5 years that count.
Monte Renzelman is also running for Sheriff. He’s the current Asotin Police Chief. He also says the bill gives the state too much power over someone who’s job might require him to stand up to the Governor.
“This bill is unconstitutional in the fact that we’re removing somebody that has been elected by the people. The people are the ones that elect their Sheriff, so it’s the people that remove that Sheriff.”
You’ll see both names on the ballot for the Primary Election August 4th.
