Thank you for being here!
Your time and support are important to me.
Meet Ed
My name is Edward Welter, and I am running for Sheriff of Grays Harbor County, Washington.
As the Sheriff I will work hard to ensure the citizens of Grays Harbor and the deputies serving them receive strong leadership, real engagement, and consistent representation.
I am passionate about this county because it is my home. It is your home. It is up to us to continually make Grays Harbor a better and safer place to live for all of us.
Frequently Asked Questions
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I am running for Sheriff because the citizens of Grays Harbor and the deputies who serve them deserve strong leadership, real engagement, and consistent representation. This role isn’t just about enforcement; it’s about accountability, presence, and building trust with the community while supporting the men and women doing the work every day.
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I am currently the Mayor of Westport and have gained a lot of insight through this position. I have attended the Association of Washington Cities Elected Officials Essentials Workshop and the Municipal Budgeting and Fiscal Management Workshop which has provided a working knowledge of the State’s budget system and the challenges each Grays Harbor community faces within the local government.
Throughout Grays Harbor County I have worked with individuals, business owners, local elected officials across all county offices, partisan groups, unions, and state departments, and I have spent time in Olympia meeting with senators and representatives of our state legislature. Because of these relationships and through active community engagement the following have been accomplished as Mayor.
As Mayor I met with department heads to get direction on their needs and then acted on that direction to meet those needs
Successfully navigated department staffing changes without gap in coverage
Fought to retain FEMA grant funding for a $14 million tsunami tower
Worked with state senators and representatives to receive $250K of direct spending for city infrastructure
Worked to bring offshore fiber optic cable landing
Negotiated $1.4 million land lease
Negotiated $300,000 land lease
Brought in $35,000 donation for softball field
Actively engaged with Washington Dept. of Fish & Wildlife for water access
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I began my law enforcement career as a Washington Fish & Wildlife Officer in Grays Harbor County, where I also served on the local Critical Response Unit (Grays Harbor’s SWAT team). I lateralled over to the Sheriff’s Office and served South Beach as the Resident Deputy for several years and was a Narcotics K9 Handler, Fire Investigator, and Defensive Tactics/OC Instructor.
I am still with the Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office as a Detective which has furthered my trainings and experience. I have received certifications in Child Forensic Interviewing, Basic Homicide Investigations, Advanced Fire Investigation, and Internet Crimes Against Children.
In conjunction with the Grays Harbor Prosecutors Office I have successfully achieved convictions involving burglary, vehicle theft, child sexual assault, violent assaults against persons, possessions of child sexual abuse material, and homicide by delivery of fentanyl.
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I bring a new perspective to the position of Sheriff that will take us into the future. I have served as the mayor of a municipality, and this has given me the opportunity to attend and run public meetings allowing me to listen and receive public comment to better understand what is most important to those I serve. I have experience in the public and private sector; I have developed business plans and managed budgets. I have worked with state legislators to obtain funding for my constituents. These skills and perspective will help drive the Sheriff’s Office where it needs to advance next.
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I am currently the Mayor of Westport. My term runs from 2024 – 2027. In an effort to ensure that this campaign would not be violating any laws, rules, or provisions, I consulted with Washington Municipal Research & Services Center and the law firm of Ingram, Zelasko & Goodwin. Both concluded that this campaign is fully within the law.
If you would like to read both opinions, I am happy to make those documents available.
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Because I will strive to represent you across the county and to the state. And because I will actively work with the entire Sheriff’s Office to ensure that its members have a voice in creating its future.
My Priorities
Here are a few of my immediate priorities for Grays Harbor County.
Grays Harbor County deserves a Sheriff that will work with all levels of government to ensure the continual public safety of our families and communities.
As your Sheriff, I intend to do just that.