ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCY BENTON COUNTY SHERIFF

On September 30, 2025, Benton County Sheriff Tom Croskrey retired from his elected position as County Sheriff.  The Benton County Commissioners have appointed an acting Sheriff in accordance with RCW 36.16.115, effective October 1, 2025.

The Benton County Commissioners have requested that, in accordance with the Washington State Constitution, Article II, Section 15, the Benton County Republican Party Central Committee provide three names of qualified nominees from which the Commissioners may appoint a new Sheriff until the next general election.  The Commissioners must appoint a new Sheriff on or before November 30, 2025 or the appointment will be made by the Washington State Governor’s Office.

The purpose of this notice is to specify the process for applicants to express their interest in filling the Sheriff vacancy.  Qualified nominees must submit their resumes via email to bcrpwa@bcrpwa.com or via mail to P. O. Box 2141, Richland, WA 99352, no later than 5 pm on Friday, October 17, 2025. Nominees will be interviewed on a first-come, first-served basis by the Vetting Committee during the month of October. Please do not delay submission. Interviews will be conducted via a Zoom call and will be recorded and shared with the Precinct Committee Officers (PCOs).

Interviewed nominees will be invited to speak to the Central Committee at a Candidate Interview Forum Special Meeting on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. [NOTE TIME CHANGE] at Island View Worship Center, 1520 Fowler St. in Richland. The PCOs will enter a closed session on November 18, to decide on the top three nominees that will be recommended to the County Commissioners, who will then appoint the new Sheriff.

Any questions can be sent via email to bcrpwa@bcrpwa.com or contact Jerry Martin, BCRP Vetting Committee Chair, at 509-460-6186.