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Monday, April 2, 2012

Crime There's Literally a New Sheriff in Town

Posted by Dominic Holden on Mon, Apr 2, 2012 at 4:58 PM

The King County Council just announced the appointment of Steve Strachan to replace Sue Rahr as King County Sheriff in a gushing email about what a swell cop he's been as police chief in Kent, Washington and Lakeville, Minnesota, where where he's also been a sergeant, detective, SWAT team leader, and DARE officer.

What the council didn't mention in its lengthy biography is that Strachan has also been a Republican legislator in Minnesota. There he used his platform to sponsor bills to increase the penalties for drug paraphernalia and give parents access to their child's medical records. And, as Publicola notes, he's sponsored anti-choice bills to impose "a 24-hour waiting period on women seeking abortions" and a "second bill barred state family planning grants from funding abortions or from referring women to agencies that do provide abortions."

Twice before, the county has appointed Republican politicians to this post: They gave the position to Dave Reichert, who is now in Congress, and his successor, Sue Rahr, who stumped for Susan Hutchison. So while it's true, we do have a new sheriff in town, we also have yet another appointed Republican politician.

UPDATE: The Seattle Times reports that Strachan says he has "evolved" on abortion issues, perhaps into the second trimester of his political career. "My personal opinion has evolved over time," he says. "I consider myself pro-choice." That's awfully nice—he still has a legislative track record that hews conservative and a resume as a GOP politician.

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Comments (14) RSS

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Great due diligence there, Council. Damn.

Posted by Whodunit? on April 2, 2012 at 5:10 PM

Sounds like Sue in male form.

You'd think we'd learn.

That or secede from the tax-dependent suburbs and form our own Sealth County which would run a massive Budget Surplus.

Posted by Will in Seattle

on April 2, 2012 at 5:15 PM

The council is just doing what the voters of King County would have done, if given the chance. And if the voters were Republicans. So the appointment process produces the same outcome as holding an election. The only differences are that appointment is faster and is based on the opposite political orientation than the one that exists.

Other than those two things, big whoop. If it bugs you, just put yourself in the shoes of a citizen of Bizzaro King County. If that were you, you'd be pleased.

Posted by Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn

on April 2, 2012 at 5:31 PM

Oh great. A new cop. That will fix EVERYTHING. *eyeroll*

Posted by Ian Awesome

on April 2, 2012 at 5:36 PM

Apparently his views on abortion have "evolved."

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/po…

Posted by bioavailable on April 2, 2012 at 5:37 PM

Let's bring some Kent Justice to the big city.

Posted by Supreme Ruler Of The Universe

on April 2, 2012 at 6:08 PM

Buddy, there's lots of typos in this blog entry.

But thanks for the info!

Posted by ryanayr on April 2, 2012 at 6:17 PM

ok so you guys dont like republican sheriffs who would you suggest.....

Posted by mosntoros on April 2, 2012 at 6:34 PM

Will FTW

Posted by Pol Pot

on April 2, 2012 at 7:15 PM

Parents rightfully have access to their kids' medical records. The kids are minors; the parents have responsibility for their medical care.

Posted by sarah70 on April 2, 2012 at 8:22 PM

He's been a sergeant, detective, SWAT team leader, and DARE officer, as well as chief of police in Kent, Washington and Lakeville, Minnesota. He sounds more like a cop who could not keep a job. I think he'll fit in well.

Posted by TechBear on April 2, 2012 at 9:27 PM