[1]Rob Snaza addresses a large gathering this morning in Chehalis as fundraising begins in earnest for his campaign to be elected sheriff.
Updated at 9:24 p.m.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – While Deputy Sgt. Rob Snaza announced via Facebook nearly a year ago he was running for sheriff of Lewis County, his campaign kick off breakfast this morning attracted some 150 individuals.
Current Sheriff Steve Mansfield told the crowd he endorsed him; his twin brother Thurston County Sheriff John Snaza introduced him.
Snaza told those assembled at the Lewis County Veterans Museum in Chehalis one of his three focuses will be rooting out career criminals.
“I’m going to go after those individuals dealing drugs and committing burglaries,” he said.
Mansfield spoke of the sergeant’s passion for making felony arrests – having been involved in more of them than any other deputy during Mansfield’s time with the office, Snaza spoke of carrying out requests by the sheriff to track people down.
“I’ve had to tell these people, I do not want you in this community, if you don’t want to be a true comitter,” Snaza said.
Mansfield called Snaza a responsible, respectful, fair and caring person who has been preparing himself for the post. Mansfield said he’s already been sharing some of the ins and outs of the position with him. And he offered a thought about the role of the sheriff.
“People don’t really care how much you know in this job, they only want to know you care,” Mansfield said.
Snaza’s other areas of interest should he be elected will be continuing to provide a no-frills jail and community partnerships, wanting to be in the schools, in the neighborhoods and involved with business and community leaders, he said.
Snaza is the SWAT leader and also the supervisor of the Lewis County Regional Crime Task Force. He’s also one of three elected persons on the board of commissioners for Lewis County Fire District 5 in Napavine, where he says he’s learned about budgeting.
Earlier this month, he was one of two deputies to be presented with Mansfield’s new Guardian Award.
“If you can find someone more passionate, I want to meet him,” Rob Snaza said.
Snaza is running as a Republican. His brother, who ran as an Independent in 2010 in Thurston County, is running now for a second term.
He asked for the support of those gathered. Mark Anders of the Lewis County Republicans asked for their contributions.
Records filed with the state Public Disclosure Commission [2] indicate a little more than $6,000 cash raised on behalf of Sgt. Snaza’s candidacy since he registered last June.
Snaza is the chair of the Citizens to Elect Rob Snaza [3], his wife Jennie Snaza is the vice-chair and the treasurer is listed as Debbie Hamilton of Chehalis.