BLAINE, Wash. – A familiar figure in Blaine is throwing his hat in the ring to become Whatcom County’s next sheriff.
Blaine Police Chief Donnell Tanksley announced his intent to run earlier this week, according to The Northern Light.
After being asked by community members if he had consider running, Tanksley realized that the coveted position would be an opportunity to serve a greater community.
If elected, he said that he will take a community-focused approach to crime reduction, with an emphasis on additional mental and behavioral healthcare.
Tanksley added that he is in full support of building a new jail facility that would provide those services to inmates.
He has served as Blaine’s police chief since 2019 and was also WWU’s assistant chief of police from 2014-2017.
Current Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo has not confirmed whether he will seek a fifth consecutive term in his role.