Today we’re diving into a developing situation at the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office that has raised serious questions about whether partisan politics is being placed ahead of public safety. It’s a story of sudden retirements, strategic promotions, and a well-worn Democratic playbook that looks a lot like installing an incumbent just months before the election.

Let’s walk through what’s happened.

Kitsap County Sheriff John Gese, a Democrat, recently announced his retirement effective June 26, 2026 — much earlier than the end of his term. He was joined by four other top leaders: Undersheriff Russ Clithero, Chief of Detectives and Support Services Lissa Gundrum, Chief of Patrol Chad Birkenfeld, and Finance Manager Wendy Dutenhoeffer. They cited budget pressures and pension incentives tied to retiring by the end of June.

In his statement, Gese said he was stepping aside to take advantage of COLA adjustments in his retirement and to let the “next generation of leaders” guide the agency through tough budget decisions.

Here’s the context that has many residents raising eyebrows.

Back in 2022, Gese himself benefited from a similar early vacancy when the previous Democratic sheriff stepped down, allowing Gese to run as incumbent — a major advantage in local elections. Now, four years later, it appears history is repeating itself to benefit the Democratic nominee for sheriff.

The November election features two candidates: Democrat Brandon Myers, a longtime Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office deputy, and Republican Rick Kuss, a deputy with the King County Sheriff’s Office.

Following the wave of retirements, Myers was promoted to a high-ranking position — Patrol Chief — filling one of the vacancies.

Under Washington state law, because it’s a partisan office, the Democratic Central Committee gets to submit up to three names to the County Commissioners for the interim sheriff role. The board — made up of two Democrats and one Republican — has already named Penny Sapp, another Democrat and Chief of Corrections, as Acting Sheriff starting June 29 to maintain continuity. But the real appointment for the remainder of the term is expected to come quickly from the Democratic nominees, with Myers widely seen as the frontrunner.

Tom Slyter, Chair of the Kitsap County Democrats, didn’t hide the strategy. He told the Kitsap Sun, “We’ve done this before,” referencing past appointments, and noted the party knows the process well. They just need volunteers to fill out the list of three.

The two Democratic commissioners are expected to follow the party’s lead, making the outcome predictable. The temporary role for Penny Sapp looks to many like a thin veil of impartiality before installing Myers as interim sheriff — giving him the powerful incumbent advantage heading into November.

Internal sources within the Sheriff’s Office have also raised concerns with KMJC. They say Brandon Myers had previously been passed over for promotion to a similar high-level role. Now, amid the sudden exodus, he’s fast-tracked in.

This is all happening at a time when the Sheriff’s Office is already critically short-staffed. Reports highlight ongoing recruitment and retention challenges, with Washington ranking near the bottom in officers per capita. Budget cuts are real, yet top leadership is walking out early — reportedly for personal financial gain and to clear the path politically. Critics argue this guts institutional knowledge and operational leadership exactly when the department needs stability most.

Republican candidate Rick Kuss has been vocal, saying voters deserve to decide at the ballot box without one candidate being handed the incumbent title through backroom processes. He and others question whether politics is trumping the experience needed to keep our communities safe.

Folks, this feels like classic political maneuvering. A Democrat sheriff and his team create vacancies at a convenient time, promote their party’s candidate, hand off to a party loyalist temporarily, and let the Democratic machine fill the seat — all while the public is told it’s about “the next generation” and budgets.

Public safety shouldn’t be a partisan chess game. Kitsap County residents — and those in neighboring counties who rely on cross-jurisdictional response — deserve a Sheriff’s Office focused on hiring, training, and protecting, not engineering election advantages.

The interim appointment process is moving fast. The Democratic Party was pulling together nominees, and the commissioners plan to act soon after.

This is exactly why KMJC keeps a close watch on local government. These decisions affect response times, jail operations, investigations, and the overall safety of our growing communities.

What do you think? Is this smart succession planning or a suspicious power play? Reach out to us — email, social media, or our tip line. We want to hear from deputies, residents, and anyone with insight into how this is impacting morale and operations inside the department.

This is Taylor Johnatakis with KMJC. We’ll continue following this story closely as the interim appointment unfolds and the election heats up. Stay safe, stay informed, and stay engaged. Local government matters — especially when it comes to those who wear the badge.