Wasser Fact Check
This is a confusing time in politics and there's been a lot of debate about the Wasser v. Felici matchup in the race for Island County Sheriff, particularly about conflicting information on Wasser. The choice of a local sheriff is more important than ever, and unbiased research is key to informing our choice as voters. It's essential that local law enforcement leaders be principled, credible, and transparent. Our goal is that Island County voters can make fact-based, fully-informed decisions about which candidate to support.
We have combed through Wasser's remarks, and spoken with former patrol and correctional colleagues of Wasser's at the Island County Sheriff's Department. We also looked at the public record of Wasser's party activities and campaign filings.
Wasser's words and actions bring his integrity and credibility into question. Wasser tells different circles of people very different things, and when confronted with inconsistencies, has issued denials that are simply not credible.
Here is what we found:
1. Wasser repeatedly identified himself as a "Constitutional Sheriff" to an audience of far-right voters at an Island County Republican Party meeting in February 2026. The "Constitutional Sheriff" movement is a
far-right splinter group of rogue law-enforcement officers who claim to be the "supreme law of the land" in their counties, form their own "posses," and promote lies about elections. Klickitat County's self-proclaimed Constitutional Sheriff, for example, has deputized his posse to cooperate with ICE agents and to illegally kill cougars. Later, Wasser claimed he did not know what the Constitutional Sheriff movement was. That denial is simply not credible:
"As a former law enforcement officer, the term 'Constitutional Sheriff' tells me everything I need to know about Wasser. There is not a law enforcement officer in the State of Washington, active or retired, that does not know what 'constitutional sheriff' means."
-- Jim D., Former Police Officer and Deputy Sheriff, Camano Island
2. Wasser is contradictory in his party affiliation and activities
In the 2024 presidential primary, Wasser declared himself a Republican on the primary ballot. That means he voted for a Republican in the March 2024 Washington State presidential primary.
Later that year, in December 2024, Wasser first announced his candidacy for Sheriff at a far-right meeting on South Whidbey.
Island County Republican Party, Jan 2025 Meeting Minutes
Then, in October 2025 Wasser endorsed a MAGA school board candidate for the South Whidbey School board.
Now, incredibly, Wasser is portraying himself as a Democrat in his run for Sheriff. His campaign attacked the people who simply pointed out the fact of his Republican presidential primary affiliation and far-right campaign funders.
"Tavier in word and deed makes it clear he is not a Democrat."
-- Democratic Precinct Committee Officer Craig Cyr wrote in June 2026
3. Wasser has said different things to different audiences on one of the most important issues of our day, federal immigration enforcement.
To applause from a far-right audience, Wasser said of ICE's brutal and illegal crackdown that resulted in the murder of two peacefully protesting US citizens: "They're doing their job, as far as I'm concerned." Later, in a statement to Democrats, Wasser contradicted himself, claiming that he does not support the "administration's hateful rhetoric." Again, Wasser's conflicting statements about fundamental issues show a lack of integrity and credibility.
"Tavier Wasser will say what the audience wants to hear to get a vote."
-- Robert Mirabal, Active Law Enforcement Officer, Island County
4. The Island County Sheriff's Department is a statewide leader in deputy training, as well as in robust programs that reduce crime.
Wasser is well aware of the Department's comprehensive deputy training programs and innovative partnerships with treatment professionals that reduce crime.
Nevertheless, in his campaign Wasser has disparaged these successful and effective programs with the false claim that they don't protect public safety. Again at the far-right meeting in February 2026 when asked how he'd balance the budget, Wasser said he'd de-prioritize "the feel-good stuff," a dismissive and factually inaccurate take on the county's successful crime prevention program.
Island County deputies receive some of the most extensive training in Washington state. Under Felici's stewardship, the County has been named an
Innovator County and a model jail for the State. Wasser knows this, and has taken advantage of these Sheriff's Department-led trainings. Now that he's running for sheriff, he says that deputies need more training, while being unable to point to specific needs. Wasser's campaign talking points are simply not based on the facts. His remarks about both crime prevention programs and deputy training simply do not align with responsible law enforcement.
"I worked with Tavier. I do not think he is a good or effective leader,"
-- Robert Mirabal, Active Law Enforcement Officer, Island County