Noting that the association would “generally remain neutral” in election matters, the Centralia Police Officers Association has elected to endorse Lewis County Commissioner Sean Swope in his bid for reelection.
The move, announced in a letter from Association President Patty Finch on Sunday, comes as Swope battles two challengers in the upcoming August primary — Republican Peter Lahmann and Democrat Damian Bean.
“Not only have you been an active supporter of Law Enforcement in Lewis County, you have taken the time to experience the job first hand, often doing ride-alongs and seeing the challenges faced by law enforcement daily,” Finch wrote. “Your continued efforts to make ordinances to ensure the safety of community members, as well as law enforcement has not gone unnoticed.”
In the letter, Finch wrote that Swope, a Republican who is competing his first term on the board, has shown a “strong desire to support the citizens of Lewis County and have been instrumental in fighting for positive change” during his career.
Finch further praised Swope as an “honorable man” who is “passionate, fair, kind and puts the needs of others before” his own.
“It is with great pleasure that we endorse you for reelection,” Finch wrote. “We look forward to our continued collaboration with you in making Lewis County a safe community for those who reside and visit.”
The endorsement comes after The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office Operations Sergeants, members of Teamsters 252, previously endorsed Swope for reelection.
“He has been actively involved from day one, observing and experiencing the daily challenges faced by our deputies,” the operations sergeants wrote in a post on Facebook. “He has collaborated with law enforcement and first responders to develop strategies and policies that provide the tools needed to enhance public safety in our county.”
While on the board, Swope has championed a series of public safety-oriented proposals, including an initiative that would collect an additional .2% sales tax to fund the Lewis County 911 call center, a rate of two cents for every $10.
Swope also backed new restrictions on RV parking and camping on county-owned land.
“Law enforcement has also had direct experiences linking certain RVs to drug-related activities,” Swope said after the ordinance passed in August 2023. “Furthermore, we’ve confronted issues with unsanitary conditions, especially with human waste and littering in areas frequented by these RVs.”
