Kevin Burton-Crow, a Democrat, is running for Thurston County sheriff in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. He faces Derek Sanders, an Independent.

Burton-Crow said in our candidate questionnaire that he is seeking the office because "the Thurston County Sheriff's Office is at a turning point. We are modernizing, and we are losing experienced people faster than we can replace them." He said he will "pursue state accreditation so our practices are measured against an outside standard" and "publish our policies and procedures so the community knows what we expect of every deputy."

Candidate information

Party: Democratic

Residence: Burton-Crow and his wife have lived in Thurston County since 2011, according to his campaign website.

Education: Asked about his education in our questionnaire, Burton-Crow said: "I hold two master's degrees, one in Criminal Justice and one in Public Administration. My criminal justice studies grounded me in the law, the courts, and the theory behind policing. My public administration program covered governance, finance and budgeting, research methods, policy analysis, performance measurement, and program evaluation."

Family: Burton-Crow said in our questionnaire: "My wife and I raised our children here in Thurston County, and we are proud to call it home. Our daughter is a student at Western Washington University, and our son is serving our country in the United States Air Force."

Experience and public service

Burton-Crow said in our questionnaire: "I served twenty years in the Army, most of it as a noncommissioned officer, and retired as a Sergeant First Class. … I began with the Thurston County Sheriff's Office in 2014 as a reserve deputy after completing the Reserve Law Enforcement Academy. I went on to serve as a patrol deputy and field training officer, and today I am a Special Victims Detective."

He added: "I also served as secretary, vice president, and president of our deputies' association, representing about 135 members across patrol and support functions."

Asked about previous elected or appointed offices, Burton-Crow said in our questionnaire: "I currently serve as an appointed precinct committee officer."

On the issues

Party affiliation: Burton-Crow said in our questionnaire: "I am a Democrat. My values shape how I think about public safety, and I bring progressive ideas to the work: data driven decisions, published policy, meaningful training in crisis response and deescalation, and accountability that the public can verify." He added: "The Sheriff's Office does not serve a party. It serves every person in Thurston County."

Critical differences from other candidates: Burton-Crow said in our questionnaire: "I bring two master's degrees, twenty years of Army service, and twelve years in nearly every corner of this office, from patrol and field training to instruction and investigations. … Temperament matters too. A Sheriff answers criticism with facts and professionalism, not personal attacks online."

Accomplishments: Burton-Crow said in our questionnaire: "My peers elected me president of our deputies' association, where I represented about 135 members. I bargained for and won improved working conditions, pay, and benefits for our members."

Best advice: Burton-Crow said in our questionnaire: "The best advice I ever received was simple: be true. Be yourself. Carry yourself with honesty and integrity, and let that show in how you perform." He added: "Public office is not a reward. It is a responsibility."

Endorsements

Burton-Crow's campaign endorsement page lists support from the Thurston County Democrats, the Thurston County Sheriff Department Captain's Association, VoteVets, the AFL-CIO, the Thurston-Lewis-Mason Central Labor Council and WA Federation of State Employees Local 443. Elected officials listed include Thurston County Commissioner Rachel Grant, state Sen. John Lovick and state Reps. Lisa Parshley and Debra Entenman.

This profile is based on official election records, the candidate's campaign materials and Burton-Crow's responses to our candidate questionnaire. It does not constitute an endorsement.