Meet Adam Fortney

I am a lifelong Snohomish County resident, a U.S. Navy veteran, and a 30-year veteran of the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office. My family and I have lived, worked, and raised our family here, so public safety isn't just my profession—it's personal.

Throughout my career, I have served in patrol, K-9, SWAT, the Honor Guard, community outreach, and continue to serve as a sergeant. I also had the honor of serving as President of the Snohomish County Deputy Sheriff's Association, becoming the longest-serving president in the organization's history.

From 2020 to 2023, I had the privilege of serving as your elected Snohomish County Sheriff during one of the most challenging periods in modern law enforcement. Leading through unprecedented change required steady leadership, sound decision-making, and an unwavering commitment to both the community and the men and women who serve it. I am proud of the progress we made together and the foundation we built for the future.

Today, I am running for Sheriff because I believe our community deserves leadership that inspires the next generation of public safety professionals, values fiscal responsibility, strengthens partnerships with our communities, and builds a culture where great people want to serve and stay. My vision is simple: People First—Future Focused.

My roots in Snohomish County run deep. I was raised in Brier, spent my young adult years in south Snohomish County, raised my children for more than 20 years in Lake Stevens, and now live just outside Granite Falls. My wife, Jill, and I have been blessed to raise eight children together, all of whom are giving back to our community in meaningful ways. We are active members of Rock Church in Everett, where our faith and church family continue to be an important part of our lives.

One of the accomplishments I am most proud of is creating the Lead The Way youth mentorship program during my first term as Sheriff. After leaving office, my passion for investing in young people continued, and I founded the Lead The Way Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing Leadership, Encouragement, and Direction to youth throughout Snohomish County.

I believe every young person deserves someone who believes in them. Sometimes all it takes is encouragement, guidance, and a second chance to change the course of a life.

As Sheriff, my commitment has always been to serve people with integrity, protect our communities, support those who wear the badge, and leave the Sheriff's Office stronger than I found it. That commitment remains unchanged today.