SNOHOMISH COUNTY — Sheriff Adam Fortney now has a known challenger for the position.
Bothell Police Department Deputy Chief Susanna Johnson announced her campaign to the press on Saturday, Nov. 12.
Prior to going to Bothell, Johnson worked for the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office for 30 years, rising to be a patrol captain and then its Bureau Chief of Operations. She joined the Sheriff's Office at age 22.
Fortney was a sergeant in the Sheriff's Office when he made his run.
In 2019, Fortney beat out Sheriff Ty Trenary, taking 55% of the vote. Trenary first became sheriff in 2013 to take over for Sheriff John Lovick, who rose to County Executive.
Johnson's campaign lists endorsements from both Trenary and Lovick, plus retired Sheriff Rick Bart, the county's sheriff from the mid-1990s to the mid-2000s, and Bart's predecessor Jim Scharf.
County Sheriff is a nonpartisan election. Even so, politicians who are Democratic-leaning are endorsing Johnson. Fortney is generally backed by Republicans.
Neither candidate has big money on the board, from records at the state office that monitors election campaign financing. Fortney listed $2,700 to Johnson's $0 as of Nov. 13. Fortney's $2,700 includes $2,000 in donations from a group called "Defend Sheriff Fortney."
