Rick Kuss
Candidate for Kitsap County Sheriff
Background
- Occupation
- Deputy sheriff; retired Navy officer
- Campaign website
- votekuss.com
A deputy sheriff and trained mental health co-responder who retired as a Navy officer after arriving in Kitsap in 1999. Holds a master's in criminal justice from Michigan State University; per the Kitsap Sun he is a King County deputy who ran for Kitsap sheriff in 2022.
Documented positions
Public safety
Pledges proactive enforcement against fentanyl traffickers.
ReportCandidate statement, Online Voters' Guide, November 3, 2026 General ElectionProvided by the campaign · Washington Secretary of State (statement written by the candidate) · voter.votewa.gov
“I will aggressively combat the fentanyl crisis through proactive enforcement, strong regional partnerships, and targeted operations against traffickers”
Supports evidence-based policing strategies.
ReportCandidate statement, Online Voters' Guide, November 3, 2026 General ElectionProvided by the campaign · Washington Secretary of State (statement written by the candidate) · voter.votewa.gov
“Policing strategies should be guided by evidence-based research and proven results”
Courts & justice
Filed suit against a new sheriff experience requirement.
Per the Kitsap Sun, he sued over legislation requiring five years of law enforcement experience for elected sheriffs; a Thurston County judge blocked the law.
ReportKitsap commissioner among local races drawing primary challengersNews coverage · Kitsap Sun · aol.com
“Kuss filed a lawsuit this spring against new state legislation requiring five years of law enforcement experience for elected county sheriffs”
All sources (4)
- Online Voters' Guide, November 3, 2026 General Election: Kitsap County
Election filing · Washington Secretary of State · voter.votewa.gov
- 2026 Offices Open for Filing
Election filing · Kitsap County Auditor · kitsap.gov
- Candidate statement, Online Voters' Guide, November 3, 2026 General Election
Provided by the campaign · Washington Secretary of State (statement written by the candidate) · voter.votewa.gov
- Kitsap commissioner among local races drawing primary challengers
News coverage · Kitsap Sun · aol.com
Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.