Candidate filing closes; Walla Walla County Sheriff Mark Crider did not file for reelection

Walla Walla County Sheriff Mark Crider did not file the required paperwork to seek reelection before the Friday, May 8, deadline, according to online data from the Washington Secretary of State.

Crider, who could not be reached for comment Friday, was first elected to the position in 2018, after serving as undersheriff for his predecessor, John Turner. Crider's current term ends at the end of 2026.

Before coming to Walla Walla, Crider served 22 years with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. According to previous U-B reporting, Turner offered him the job when Crider was facing mandatory retirement from the FBI.

"The FBI, at age 57, they unceremoniously kick you out the door," Crider said at the time.

Candidate filing for the Aug. 4., 2026, primary ended at 5 p.m. Friday.

Two of Crider's current deputies - Chief Deputy Richard Schram and Deputy Ashley Daschofsky - have filed to seek the sheriff's position. They both listed a preference for the Republican party.

Elsewhere in the county

Clerk Kathy Martin, who has been in her position for 38 years, announced she will not seek reelection. Chief Deputy Clerk Becky Renwick is the only candidate who filed to replace her.

Walla Walla County District Court Judge Kristian E. Hedine also announced his retirement and that move opens up two positions.

The court has two judges: one part-time judge and one full-time judge. Hedine holds the court's full-time seat. The current part-time judge, Jared Hawkings, filed to run for Hedine's position.

Meanwhile, local attorneys Nicholas Holce and Janelle Carman-Wagner have filed for the part-time position.

Other positions

U.S. Congressional District 5

Michael Baumgartner, incumbent

Carmela Conroy

David Womack

Matthew Hayes

Nate Powell

Ann Marie Danimus

Bajun R. Mavalwalla

Kevin Fagan

Kyle Ursey

Richard Freudenberg

Andrew Bartleson

Mike Gahvarehchee

Washington Legislative District 16 Position 1

Mark Klicker, incumbent

Kyle Palmer

Washington Legislative District 16 Position 2

Skyler Rude, incumbent

Derek Sarley

Assessor

Byron Burres, incumbent

Auditor

Sheryl R. Park, incumbent

Gregory A. Tompkins

Tim Reeves

Marjorie Denton Sanborn

Walla Walla County Board of Commissioners

Gunner Fulmer, incumbent

Troy Woody

Rikki P Wescott

Coroner

Richard Greenwood, incumbent

Prosecuting Attorney

Gabriel Acosta, incumbent

Treasurer

Gordon R. Heimbigner, incumbent

To see a complete list of all races for Walla Walla County voters, including judicial and precinct committee races, visit tinyurl.com/ywuh8ur2.

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