PORT TOWNSEND — The Board of Jefferson County Commissioners has appointed Andy Pernsteiner as acting sheriff. He will take over the position while the Jefferson County Democrats collect applications for a longer-term acting sheriff.
Pernsteiner has been undersheriff since 2019, working closely with Sheriff Joe Nole, who retired on Friday.
Pernsteiner said Nole was great to work for, honest, thoughtful and caring.
“For the past 5 1/2 years, I’ve been working with Joe really closely and I understand all the aspects of the sheriff’s office,” Pernsteiner said. “I am eager and ready to assume all of the responsibilities of sheriff.”
Pernsteiner has a long history at the office, he said.
“I’ve been with the sheriff’s office in one capacity or another for a little over 27 years,” Pernsteiner said. “Almost everybody here, with the exception of one other person that has been here longer than me, I’ve either helped train or helped hire. Obviously, I know everyone here quite well. I’ve worked for five different sheriffs, I know what works, what doesn’t work.”
Pernsteiner said he thinks the success of a sheriff is about having a good group of people working in the office.
“The deputies are the ones that are actually boots on the ground, that do the work, that actually put their life at risk,” he said. “They are having to work on Christmas and nights and be away from their family. I think it’s important to care for your people, and if your people know that you care for them as their boss, I think they’re going to do a better job.”
Pernsteiner said if appointed or eventually elected, he would be unlikely to institute major changes, but instead he will focus on improving the systems already in place, many that he had a hand in implementing, he added.
He will not rush the process of finding a replacement undersheriff, he said.
County commissioner Greg Brotherton expressed confidence in Pernsteiner, with whom he has served on the Jefferson Communications board for the past four years. Pernsteiner has been the board chair the last couple of years, he said.
“I have just really seen you demonstrate your leadership at the policy level at JeffCom,” Brotherton said to Pernsteiner at Monday’s commissioners meeting. “I have no doubt that this additional responsibility we’re contemplating for you today, not only are you ready for it, but I feel like you’ve been growing into it before my eyes. I’ve been really impressed by your development as a leader as well as a law enforcement officer.”
In a letter sent to notify the county of his retirement, Nole wrote that he would like to see Pernsteiner as his successor.
“Andy has 26 years experience with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and has been my second in command for the past six years,” Nole wrote. “His knowledge and experience, as well as his commitment to the priorities and principles I hold most dear, make him the ideal choice to continue my term.”
Pernsteiner’s first year with the office was in a volunteer capacity.
There are several transitional time frames to consider in the sheriff’s office.
Pernsteiner was appointed as acting sheriff to keep the position full as the Jefferson County Democrats (JCD) engage in the process of finding a longer-term acting sheriff.
The longer-term acting sheriff role will be filled by a county commissioners-appointed candidate, nominated by the JCD, who will put forward three candidates at the end of January.
Interested Jefferson County residents may submit resumes and letters of intent to info@jeffcodemocrats.com before a Jan. 13 deadline. Applicants also must fill out a questionnaire by Jan. 13. The questionnaire can be found on the JCD website at https://www.jeffcodemocrats.com.
The website states that applications will be assessed Jan. 14-19. JCD’s board will deliberate and vote for candidates to interview Jan 19. Interviews will be held on Jan. 23.
On Jan 29, the board will vote on the interviewed candidates. JCD will provide its selection to the BOCC on Jan 30.
JCD is responsible for nominating candidates because Nole registered as a Democrat on the partisan ticket.
The person who is appointed will serve until voters select a new sheriff in the November general election. That person will serve for one year to finish Nole’s term.
A full-term sheriff will be elected in 2026 and begin serving in January 2027.
Pernsteiner said he plans to throw his hat in the ring for the longer interim position. He also said he is strongly considering running for the office.
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Reporter Elijah Sussman can be reached by email at elijah.sussman@sequimgazette.com.
