John F. Nowels
Republican · Incumbent
The sitting Spokane County Sheriff, listed in that role on the sheriff's office command staff directory, with more than 28 years in the agency as patrol deputy, detective, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, regional drug task force commander and undersheriff, per his state voters' guide statement. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, holds a master's in administrative leadership from the University of Oklahoma, and served as president of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs for the 2025 to 2026 term, per the same statement.
2026 priorities
- Sustaining recruitment after closing a vacancy gap of more than 40 positions, per his campaign site
- Operating the Real Time Crime Center, per his campaign site
- Community oriented policing that reduces crime and addresses homelessness, per his state voters' guide statement
Source: candidate campaign site, roster verified 2026-07-31.
Campaign site →