Conservative Washington sheriff says effort to remove him from office stems from stance on transgender issues

A Washington state sheriff says a proposal that could ultimately remove him from office is being driven by political opponents angered by his outspoken views on transgender issues and other culture-war debates.

Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank is promising to fight a ballot proposal that would allow county leaders to appoint, rather than elect, future sheriffs, arguing the effort is less about government reform than silencing a sheriff who refuses to fall in line.

"They hate me,"...