County

Adams County Sheriff

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The sheriff runs the county's law enforcement outside city police departments and, in most counties, the jail.

Candidates Compare by issue

Dale J. Wagner

Prefers Republican Party

Adams County Sheriff

The gist

Pledges to recruit and retain quality employees
Pledges training and modern equipment for staff
Supports youth and family outreach programs
Pledges to seek funding for jail improvements

More about Dale

View sources (1)

Pledges to recruit and retain quality employees
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
“One of my top priorities is continuing to recruit and retain quality employees”
Pledges training and modern equipment for staff
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
“have the training, leadership, and modern equipment they need to do their jobs safely and effectively”
Supports youth and family outreach programs
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
“Programs that connect law enforcement with youth and families remain important to me”
Pledges to seek funding for jail improvements
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
“I will continue working to secure funding for needed improvements in the jail”

Matthew Carlson

Prefers Republican Party

Law enforcement officer; small business owner

The gist

Supports public safety built on accountability and community trust
Supports leadership that listens and stays connected
Supports community service beyond officers' shifts

More about Matthew

View sources (1)

Supports public safety built on accountability and community trust
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
“Advocating for public safety, accountability, and community trust.”
Supports leadership that listens and stays connected
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
“I believe leadership starts with showing up, listening to people, and staying connected to the community”
Supports community service beyond officers' shifts
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
“For me, service doesn’t stop when the shift ends.”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 2 issues covered in this race.