Contested race emerges for Grant County sheriff in 2026

EPHRATA – A contested race has emerged for Grant County sheriff between incumbent Joey Kriete and challenger Josh Sainsbury. 

Both are lifelong county residents, Ephrata High School graduates, and veteran members of the sheriff’s office, with over a half-century of combined experience in law enforcement. The formal filing period is the first week in May for all elective positions in 2026, with primary and general elections in August and November.

The sheriff’s position currently pays an annual salary of $159,495.

“I’m running for sheriff because I care deeply about Grant County and the people who live here,” Sainsbury said in a campaign announcement this week. “I believe steady leadership, experience, and cooperation are important in maintaining a safe and supportive community.”

Sainsbury, 49, has over 24 years’ experience in law enforcement, beginning in 2001 as a reserve officer with the Soap Lake Police Department and joining the sheriff’s office as a patrol deputy in 2002. In 2021, he was appointed chief deputy of emergency operations with prior duties as a sergeant involved in special operations, patrol, motor traffic units, and collision investigations. 

He is also a director on the Ephrata School Board and was recently elected chairman of the five-member panel. In that capacity, Sainsbury said he collaborates “with educators, families, and local agencies to foster safe learning environments.”

“Serving on the school board has shown me how important cooperation is between schools, families, and first responders,” Sainsbury said. “Those same partnerships are essential to effective law enforcement and safer neighborhoods.”

If elected, Sainsbury said his priorities will include strengthening relationships between deputies and the public, ensuring comprehensive training and support for personnel, and continuing collaboration with schools, municipal governments, and community organizations throughout the county.

Sainsbury and Kriete talked privately Monday morning about the pending election challenge. Afterward, Kriete said he decided to reassign – demote – Sainsbury from chief deputy to sergeant, his last civil service-protected position within the office, effective Jan. 19.

 In a phone conversation today with GCJ.news, Kriete called it a “difficult, painful decision” but one that he felt was in the best interests of the community and the agency. In doing so, Kriete said he wanted to ensure there was “a foundation of trust to have critical conversations” among members of his appointed administrative team.

Asked it he thought the competing campaigns will have a polarizing effect in the office, Kriete said, “That’s the last thing I want. I don’t want anybody to be uncomfortable … That’s not the way I am.”

He called Sainsbury “an extremely vital part of this operation” and indicated the need for continued professionalism in their work.

Asked for comment, Sainsbury said in a emailed reply late Wednesday, "I was demoted to sergeant, and I will work hard to share my knowledge and learn from the younger deputies at the same time." 

Kriete, 54, grew up in Ephrata and now lives in Moses Lake. A 32-year veteran of the sheriff’s office, he was elected to an initial four-year term in 2022. Prior to that, Kriete had served as chief deputy of investigations, chief deputy of corrections, and as a major crimes detective, patrol sergeant, traffic sergeant and collisions investigator.

As sheriff, Kriete oversees an office with a $28 million annual budget and nearly 150 employees including patrol deputies; major crimes, narcotics, and motor traffic investigation units; corrections personnel; emergency management; and administrative staff. He has also been involved in ongoing construction of a new county jail that is expected to be completed this year.

Kriete announced his re-election campaign on Monday, Jan. 12, in a Facebook post.

“Over the past three years, the men and women of the Grant County Sheriff’s Office have accomplished some truly great things,” he wrote. “Together, we’ve strengthened public safety, improved operations, invested in our people, and continued to build trust within the communities we serve.”

In most Washington counties, sheriff’s positions are elected and partisan. Their responsibilities include crime prevention and investigating criminal activity in cooperation with other law enforcement agencies, serving warrants and other court orders, maintaining the public peace, and responding to emergencies.

During the state’s 2026 legislative session that began Monday, two companion bills – SB 5974 and HB 1399 – have been introduced to “clarify laws” concerning sheriffs, police chiefs, marshals, matrons, certain commissioned officers, volunteers, and cadets. SB 5974 is scheduled for a Jan. 15 public hearing by the Senate Law and Justice Committee. HB 1399 has been referred to the House Committee on Community Safety.