Kittitas County Sheriff to Retire After 7 Years in Office

Clay Myers announces he will not seek re-election, opening the position for the November 2026 vote.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Kittitas County Sheriff Clay Myers announced that he will retire at the end of his current term, which expires in January 2027. Myers was first appointed as sheriff in 2019 and was subsequently elected in 2022. The county's top law enforcement position will now be open for the November 2026 election.

Why it matters

Sheriff Myers' retirement will mark the end of his 7-year tenure leading the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office. His departure opens up a key elected position in the county, which will be decided by voters in the upcoming November 2026 election.

The details

Myers said that serving as sheriff has been "one of the greatest honors" of his life, and that public safety in the county "remains strong." The sheriff's office is prepared for a smooth transition of leadership, with experienced professionals and trusted local, state, and regional partners in place.

  • Myers was first appointed as sheriff in October 2019 following the retirement of Gene Dana.
  • Kittitas County voters affirmed Sheriff Myer's position in the subsequent general election and re-elected him in 2022.
  • Myers' current term as sheriff will expire in January 2027.

The players

Clay Myers

The current Kittitas County Sheriff who has announced his retirement at the end of his term.

Gene Dana

The previous Kittitas County Sheriff who retired in 2019, leading to Myers' appointment.

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What they’re saying

“It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve as your elected Sheriff.”

— Clay Myers, Kittitas County Sheriff (995theapple.com)

“To the residents of Kittitas County: thank you for your trust.”

— Clay Myers, Kittitas County Sheriff (995theapple.com)

“Our agency is staffed by experienced professionals and supported by trusted local, state, and regional partners. The Sheriff's Office is prepared to undertake a smooth transition of leadership, and its commitment to responsive service and effective law enforcement will not change.”

— Clay Myers, Kittitas County Sheriff (995theapple.com)

What’s next

The position of Kittitas County Sheriff will be open for potential candidates during the upcoming November 2026 elections.

The takeaway

Sheriff Myers' retirement after 7 years in office marks the end of an era for the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office. The upcoming election will determine the next leader of the county's top law enforcement agency, with voters tasked with selecting a candidate who can build on the office's commitment to public safety and responsive service.