Friday, October 2, 2026
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The Thurston County Sheriff's race in the Aug. 4 Primary Election is more of a preview of what is to come.
Both candidates, Kevin Burton-Crow and incumbent Derek Sanders, are guaranteed of advancing to the Nov. 3 General Election because the sheriff's post is a partisan office and the top two candidates move on.
A state law approved by voters in November 2004 and subsequently upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2008 defines a partisan office as "a public office for which a candidate may indicate a political party preference on his or her declaration of candidacy and have that preference appear on the primary and general election ballot in conjunction with his or her name."
Kevin Burton-Crow (prefers Democratic Party) is a special victims detective with the Thurston County Sheriff's Office and he’s also President of the Thurston County Deputy Sheriff’s Association.
In 2023, he was named American Legion Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. Burton-Crow also received the Bill Lehman Award in 2026 from the National Animal Care & Control Association. Burton-Crow, who served 20 years in the U.S. Army, has master's degrees in criminal justice and public administration.
If elected as Thurston County Sheriff, Burton-Crow said he aims to have the sheriff's office pursue professional accreditation by reviewing department policies and training, ensure taxpayer dollars are being used wisely for major programs within the department, modernize its field training model, and strengthen the communication strategy with the public.
Burton-Crow also advocates for a regional scaled, multi-agency exercise to ensure first responders are prepared to handle major emergencies.
“I think that there needs to be partnerships with our other public safety partners, as well to ensure that we are providing the community with the most robust responses to natural disasters, active shooters and mass casualty events,” said Burton-Crow in an interview with The JOLT.
Derek Sanders (prefers Independent Party) is seeking reelection after first being elected sheriff in 2022. During his first term, the office revamped equipment and vehicles, bolstered staffing levels at the office by around 30 percent, and improved the pay and benefits of all employees.
Sanders began his law enforcement career as a Community Service Officer with the Lacey Police Department in 2014 before joining the Thurston County Sheriff's Office as a deputy in 2016. He’s also the recipient of the Medal of Valor Award. Sanders is a longtime advocate for community centered public safety.
If elected to a second term, Sanders aims to continue to recruit and retain deputies, have the sheriff's office use practical, data-informed strategies to solve crime, work closely with local governments and community organizations, and maintain engagement with the community.
Furthermore, Sanders would also advocate for the development of a mental health wing at Thurston County Corrections Facility.
“We still really need to address the jail crisis when it comes to space inside of our facility. I’ve been in conversation with the number of county commissioners about the expansion of a mental health wing within our jail," said Sanders in an interview with The JOLT.
"I think that is crucially needed. An area that is still secured and is still part of the jail, but is actually operated by mental health professionals instead of corrections deputies."
Voting has started for the Aug. 4 Primary Election. The Thurston County Auditor’s Elections Division mailed more than 207,000 ballots to voters last week.
Any registered voter who thinks they should have received a ballot, but hasn’t by July 22, should contact the Elections Division at 360-786-5408 or elections@co.thurston.wa.us, said the auditor's office in an announcement on July 15.
The Elections Division has also opened 31 secure ballot drop boxes. A list of ballot drop boxes and addresses is included in mailed ballot materials, but can also be found here. Drop boxes are open until 8 p.m. on Aug. 4.
The Elections Division is a designated voting center during business hours. Voters may register to vote, update their current registration, obtain a ballot, or use a voting assistance device at the Voting Center.
The Elections Division Voting Center is located at 2915 29th Ave. SW in Tumwater.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct a subhead and the career biography of Derek Sanders.
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Moorhead
The ballots mailed out last week are for the August primary, not the November general election.
Wednesday, July 22 Report this
TheVirtualOne
While I am not familiar with Burton-Crow, I have a difficult time believing he would be a better sheriff than Derek Sanders. I will try to familiarize myself with Burton-Crow, but I believe Sheriff Sanders has done an outstanding job for the citizens of Thurston County and he will likely have my vote to continue as sheriff.
Wednesday, July 22 Report this
MaKane
I didn't vote for Sanders last time around, but he's proven himself time and again, I look forward to his reelection.
Wednesday, July 22 Report this
Honestyandrealityguy
I am so impressed with Sheriff Sanders. Good luck to him.
Wednesday, July 22 Report this
Overtaxed
Sheriff Sanders has done an OUTSTANDING Job and should be re-elected.
Wednesday, July 22 Report this
terry
Sanders demonstrates good sense by running as an independent and respect for equal justice rather than partisan influences.
Thursday, July 23 Report this
Olyrkrgrrl
We finally have a decent human being as our sheriff! I'm gonna stick with Sanders, I think he has done an excellent job and has a proven track record. He has made good improvements and continues to impress me with his engagement in community activities and how he encourages people to be their best. I've never had a yard sign in my yard, but now I have one that says Re-elect Sheriff Sanders!
Thursday, July 23 Report this
SteveA
Yes, and Sanders LOVES to boast about high speed chases (he forgets they are dangerous and have expensive consequences) and Burton-Crow brings a level of educational credentials to the office we've never had. I'm tired of cowboy sheriffs and think it's time to elect the best candidate, not the flashiest
Thursday, July 23 Report this
OlyScum
Ya know, I'm m going Button-Crow. Sanders has had some issues playing nice with other agencies . I want someone who's going to work to strengthen the whole community not just their own ego.
Thursday, July 23 Report this
JS122471
Burton-Crow all the way. I still can't get passed the fact that Sanders hired a murderer. I also don't like the horrible comments he made about a female officer, just because she got a promotion over him. In addition, he has shown immaturity many times, like when he got into his spat with another Sheriff online, in many of his responses to comments he doesn't like and the fit he threw when he doesn't get an endorsement he wants. I also believe with the number of accidents Sanders gets into, he needs to spend less time patrolling and more time running his department. As an officer he was reprimanded for getting into an accident while playing on his phone. Sanders just comes off as a pick me girl.
Thursday, July 23 Report this
KellyOReilly
I voted for Burton-Crow this time around. I found his position as the Sheriff's union leader as well as his education appealing.
Thursday, July 23 Report this
Bobhillier
Crow is a liberal we have to many in office already besides Sanders has proven he is the only choice from personal experience
Thursday, July 23 Report this
TheVirtualOne
Vote is in - Derek Sanders, hands down. We don’t need another paper pushing weasel. Sanders is a true law enforcement officer and leader who’s not afraid to fight against the street crime that has plagued this county for far too long now.
Friday, July 24 Report this
IKnowBest35
Sheriff Sanders was a massive upgrade when he won. The last thing any community that wants to separate itself from criminals should do is put a Democrat in charge. I can't say anything specific about the individual who prefers the Democrat Party in this particular race, but I can tell you to look at Seattle. It's become a laughing stock in this country because of Democrat policy..
Friday, July 24 Report this
Boatyarddog
Bobhillier, NOT ALL Democrats are LIBERALS, and there is nothing wrong with Liberals, they tend to be much more interested with getting along and cooperation with others than the selfishness that always precedes Republicans. Derek Sanders is much More community based.
Friday, July 24 Report this
Cobbnaustic
I already voted for sanders. It was a no brainer.
Friday, July 24 Report this
SC4011
My interaction w Sanders has been very positive. I cannot discern a political affiliation w Sanders and o like that.
Saturday, July 25 Report this
TheVirtualOne
JS122471 - You should stop spreading lies and untruths. The facts tell a completely different story than what you are saying.
Wednesday, July 29 Report this
Boatyarddog
This is But 1 of the many reasons to keep D. SANDERS our Sheriff, He gets IT, He Cares! According to the Thurston County news release, the county acquired the old state building and renovated it for less than the budgeted $20 million, referring to the strategy as “adaptive reuse.” Leftover funds allowed for the purchase of a nearby lot to be used as a vehicle impound.
“The county is seeing big wins in big capital infrastructure development thanks to the dedicated public servants who fill the ranks of county staff,” Thurston County Board of Commissioners Chair Tye Menser said. “Staff know the business of the county and the people in our community.” Vote SANDERS!
Monday, August 3 Report this