Eastern WA judge moves challenge against new sheriff law to Thurston County

An eastern Washington judge declined Thursday to rule on the future of a state law that could potentially force sheriffs out of office if they don’t meet new standards.

Lincoln County Superior Court Judge Adam Walser instead decided the case should be heard in Thurston County, agreeing with the state attorney general’s office, which is defending the law. A similar legal challenge is already playing out in Thurston County, where the state capital is located and where work to implement the law is being carried out.

Walser said it wouldn’t be proper to potentially have diverging rulings from different judges across the state on similar arguments.

The judge left the door open to temporarily blocking the law Thursday, given how much of it goes into effect at the end of this month. But he decided not to, unsure he had the authority to do so, as another judge will rule on the rest of the case. Walser also said he didn’t think the law demands such an emergency ruling.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/04/16/eastern-wa-judge-moves-challenge-against-new-sheriff-law-to-thurston-county/