I am writing in support of John Urquhart for King County Sheriff. He has spent the last 36 years of his life serving the public as a police officer and has worked in all levels of the Sheriff's Office.

Prior to becoming a full-time police officer, he was a successful small business owner with over 60 employees. John's background makes him the best candidate to handle the $160 million budget of the Sheriff's Office.

John retired last year, but was urged to run for Sheriff by individuals up and down the ranks of the Sheriff's Office. Let's be blunt, the Sheriff's Office has received two devastating audits, lost over 100 citizen complaints (including many in our area), failed to properly review officer-involved shootings, and has a $9 million sexual harassment claim against it.

I am concerned that small issues of integrity are larger indictments of mismanagement we have seen in Mr. Strachan's short time as the appointed Sheriff.

The law is very clear: no use of public dollars to further political campaigns. Yet Mr. Strachan, as recently as last month, was found to have violated the King County Ethics Code for using government resources in his campaign, including campaigning in uniform at the King County Republican Picnic.

John has the leadership skills to get the Sheriff's Office back on track. He preaches a message of accountability, something the Sheriff's Office is sorely lacking right now. Please join me in supporting John Urquhart for Sheriff!

Mike Heavey
Executive Board Member of the 34th District Democrats