After months of careful consideration, I have decided to endorse Tracy Murphy for the office of Lewis County sheriff.
Having never before publicly supported a political candidate, I have not made this decision lightly. My first endorsement is based on the concerns expressed by the citizens of Lewis County and Tracy’s unique ability to address them.
When I hear my friends, neighbors and elected officials describing the biggest crime problems we are facing in 2026, I repeatedly hear the same topics mentioned: skyrocketing retail theft and property crime, ever-increasing instances of violent crime, and a variety of offenses and problems associated with our local homeless population.
These issues have a common denominator: drugs. The insidious effects of narcotics distribution, sales and use are pervasive in our cities, towns and rural areas. Its malicious nature is clear to see and has touched us all in some way. Like many local families, mine has been touched by this scourge as well, having lost loved ones to addiction, incarceration and, sadly, drug-related death.
During his lengthy and distinguished career at the Centralia Police Department, Tracy has been firm in his conviction to combat illegal drugs and drug-related crime. Tracy has coordinated the investigation and disruption of criminal drug activity at every level. From arresting street-level offenders as a patrol and K-9 officer, to managing multi-jurisdictional narcotics investigations as the supervisor of a DEA Task Force, Tracy has gained the knowledge and experience necessary to understand how controlled substances move in and out of our area, the people who use and deal those products, and the resources needed to protect our community from the harms they inflict.
I can attest to this personally, having collaborated with Tracy on numerous significant federal drug-related cases during my 27-year career as a federal law enforcement agent. As a result of my own observations and interactions, I know that Tracy has earned an impeccable reputation as a subject-matter expert on drug trafficking among investigators with nearly every federal, state and local law enforcement agency in western Washington.
Collectively, we all suffer from the prevalence of illicit drugs and their harmful impact on our community. Drugs affect our friends and neighbors, the people we worship and work with, our local businesses, and, too often, our families. I believe the taxpayers of Lewis County need a sheriff who has the experience necessary to address this root cause of so many of our troubles. I am convinced that Tracy Murphy is that candidate, and I will be voting for him for the office of Lewis County sheriff.
Christopher Fay
Adna
