County

Kitsap 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

Brandon L. Myers

Prefers Democratic Party

Kitsap County Sheriff's Office supervisor

The gist

Pledges to strengthen deputy recruitment and retention.
Supports full staffing and equipment for the Sheriff's Office.

More about Brandon

View sources (1)

Pledges to strengthen deputy recruitment and retention.
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
“As Sheriff, I will focus on supporting employees, strengthening recruitment and retention, building strong community partnerships”
Supports full staffing and equipment for the Sheriff's Office.
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
“Our Sheriff's Office must be properly staffed, supported, and equipped to meet the growing needs of Kitsap County”

Rick Kuss

Prefers Republican Party

Deputy sheriff; retired Navy officer

The gist

Pledges proactive enforcement against fentanyl traffickers.
Supports evidence-based policing strategies.
Filed suit against a new sheriff experience requirement.

More about Rick

View sources (2)

Pledges proactive enforcement against fentanyl traffickers.
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 aggressively combat the fentanyl crisis through proactive enforcement, strong regional partnerships, and targeted operations against traffickers”
Supports evidence-based policing strategies.
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
“Policing strategies should be guided by evidence-based research and proven results”
Filed suit against a new sheriff experience requirement.
Kitsap commissioner among local races drawing primary challengers
News 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”

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.