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Each election season provides more entertainment than the last.
In 1994, my first election, there were a total of eight candidates competing to become Lewis County sheriff.
One of the other candidates repeatedly reported me for putting signs on my property, where I mowed and for which I was taxed. I was told to remove them because it was a right-of-way violation, they said.
Most recently, a representative for one of the Lewis County sheriff campaigns stopped by and told me they had a Public Disclosure Commission complaint that their signs didn’t meet some standard for font size. They would need to add a sticker to make it compliant.
I thought the complaint was petty, but that’s politics.
I have been asked a number of times who to vote for for sheriff, so I thought I’d add to the discussion.
First, I know three of the four candidates, and I have for a good long time. And I met with the fourth for an hour or so, talking to him about the role of sheriff and his background.
After much thought, I will be supporting Gabriel Frase for Lewis County sheriff.
Gabe’s experience and reputation were an important part of my decision. I have known him and his family for many years. His father, John Frase, was a longtime employee at the sheriff’s office, someone who I worked for, worked with and who eventually worked for me.
I’ve watched Gabe’s career in various positions. Today, he is a bureau chief. His understanding of the various roles of the sheriff’s office, as well as his character, make him the ideal candidate, in my opinion.
The primary election will come up pretty fast. I expect to see Gabe make it to the general election.
In the event he doesn’t, I will support Chehalis Deputy Police Chief Matt McKnight for the job.
I spent an hour or so interviewing him about his positions and thoughts on being sheriff and his experience as a deputy chief in Chehalis. I feel he could do the job, but Gabe has the longer experience in the sheriff's office, which I think is very important.
For those who will twist this into something negative about candidates Tracy Murphy or Danny Riordan, just know my endorsement is not meant to do that.
I just believe Gabe is the best choice. I’m supporting him to be our next sheriff.
•••
Another local race that has drawn a larger field than usual is for Lewis County coroner.
I’m not really a fan of Warren McLeod, but the position seems historically to be uncontested, which made me curious.
One of the candidates is his Chief Deputy Coroner Chelsie Niemcziek. We exchanged some messages and I read some of her Facebook posts; she seems qualified. But I also interviewed Jessica Stickley for an hour or so, and looked at her experience, education and qualifications.
I have decided to endorse Stickley for coroner.
The coroner's position is an important one. It plays a significant role in death investigations.
When the current coroner reportedly said he didn’t send his deputy into the woods at night to investigate the Aron Christensen death because they might encounter a bear, I thought that was a ridiculous excuse.
And I still do.
•••
Many years ago when I served as sheriff, I endorsed a Democrat for Lewis County commissioner.
So, just because I’m a Republican, it doesn't mean I only support Republicans.
Of course, back then, there weren't really any Democrats supporting the idea of boys in the girls bathroom and locker room. At least, I don’t remember any.
So, to be fair, I couldn’t support a Democrat today.
But I am fully supporting John Braun for Congress. I worked for him and his family for about 13 years and know him to be an honest, smart and pragmatic person.
He makes good decisions and has been successful because of it.
His qualifications and experience make him very qualified, and he’d make a great congressman.
Elections are a tough business, and politics today are especially tough, with the ability to spew all kinds of things — true or not — about candidates.
It would be good if people stuck to issues and not personal insults but, sadly, that’s just the world we live in today.
•••
John McCroskey was Lewis County sheriff from 1995 to 2005. He lives outside Chehalis and can be contacted at musingsonthemiddlefork@gmail.com.
