County

Skagit 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, patrolling areas outside city police departments' jurisdiction.

Candidates Compare by issue

Chris Baldwin

Prefers Independent Party

Chief of Field Operations, Skagit County Sheriff's Office

The gist

Supports retaining well-trained deputies and staff
Supports proactive crime prevention and agency partnerships
Pledges transparency and responsible use of tax dollars
Led the office's adoption of the mental health co-response model
Led a $3 million radio system upgrade
Pledges equal treatment regardless of background or disability

More about Chris

View sources (2)

Supports retaining well-trained deputies and 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
“Supporting and retaining well-trained deputies and staff”
Supports proactive crime prevention and agency partnerships
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
“Expanding partnerships with local agencies and organizations; Addressing crime proactively”
Pledges transparency and responsible use of tax dollars
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
“Ensuring transparency and responsible use of tax dollars.”
Led the office's adoption of the mental health co-response model
Accomplishments
Provided by the campaign · Chris Baldwin for Sheriff campaign · chrisbaldwinforsheriff.com
“Under Chris Baldwin's leadership, the Skagit County Sheriff's Office became an early adopter of the "co-response" model.”
Led a $3 million radio system upgrade
Accomplishments
Provided by the campaign · Chris Baldwin for Sheriff campaign · chrisbaldwinforsheriff.com
“Chris pushed for and oversaw a $3 million radio infrastructure improvement project that has provided for 99% radio coverage throughout Skagit County.”
Pledges equal treatment regardless of background or disability
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
“We must serve all individuals equally, regardless of their background, disability or circumstances.”

Cody Hart

Prefers Republican Party

Independent investigator; engineering firm owner

The gist

Pledges to expose waste, fraud and abuse in government
Pledges to serve as a "Constitutional Sheriff"
Pledges to put residents' rights over protecting government
Supports gun rights and responsible gun ownership
Supports enforcement of federal immigration laws
Supports parental rights in public schools

More about Cody

View sources (2)

Pledges to expose waste, fraud and abuse in government
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 bring real experience defending civil rights, and reporting millions of dollars of waste, fraud, and abuse in government”
Pledges to serve as a "Constitutional Sheriff"
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
“Cody is volunteering to serve as a Constitutional Sheriff for Skagit County”
Pledges to put residents' rights over protecting government
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 place resident's rights over protecting government every time.”
Supports gun rights and responsible gun ownership
Cody Hart for Government Accountability
Provided by the campaign · Cody Hart campaign · codyhart.org
“I am an advocate for gun rights, support responsible gun ownership and will oppose anyone who infringes upon you right to bear arms.”
Supports enforcement of federal immigration laws
Cody Hart for Government Accountability
Provided by the campaign · Cody Hart campaign · codyhart.org
“I support strong control of our nations borders, knowing who is entering our country, and enforcement of our nations immigration laws”
Supports parental rights in public schools
Cody Hart for Government Accountability
Provided by the campaign · Cody Hart campaign · codyhart.org
“I stand for parental rights”

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; 6 issues covered in this race.