Sheriff Sanders Files for Re-election

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Sheriff Derek Sanders has filed to seek another term as Thurston County Sheriff, earning strong support from elected officials across the county. In addition to support from county leaders, Sheriff Sanders has received the endorsement of every mayor in Thurston County.

Olympia Mayor Dontae Payne, Lacey Mayor Andy Ryder, Tumwater Mayor Leatta Dahlhoff, Yelm Mayor Joe DePinto, Rainier Mayor Robert Shaw, Tenino Mayor Dave Watterson, Bucoda Mayor Callie Carpenter, and Thurston County Commissioners Carolina Mejia, Tye Menser, and Wayne Fournier have all expressed their ongoing support for the leadership and collaboration Sheriff Sanders has delivered.

When Sanders stepped into the role in January 2023, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office was facing significant challenges as the second-worst staffed sheriff’s office in the state. Crime was rising, staffing levels were low, and deputies and detectives were stretched thin, with just 33 working patrol deputies and eight detectives serving the county.

Over the past three years, the Sheriff’s Office has made steady progress. Working in partnership with county leadership, the office revamped equipment and vehicles, increased training opportunities, and strengthened pay and benefits for all employees. As a result, the Sheriff’s Office has recruited and retained qualified deputies, increasing staffing levels to 55 working patrol deputies and 18 detectives, while also hiring and retaining critical support staff focused on practical, data-informed strategies to reduce crime.

During that time, the Sheriff’s Office also advanced several key projects, including the implementation of new body-worn cameras, planning for the future TCSO headquarters, and improvements to training facilities for corrections deputies—efforts that have contributed to stronger retention and improved performance.

“These improvements didn’t happen because of one person,” Sanders said. “They happened because Sheriff’s Office employees, county leadership, and community members worked together with a shared commitment to public safety.”

While meaningful progress has been made, Sanders said there is still work ahead and remains focused on building a Sheriff’s Office that is responsive to community needs while maintaining the trust of Thurston County residents.

Impartiality remains central to effective law enforcement and is a key reason Sanders is continuing his re-election campaign as a nonpartisan independent.