Sheriff Dan Staton Cruises Unopposed Toward Re-election

County Sheriff Dan Staton failed to draw an opponent by the March 11 filing deadline despite a four-year term that has included bad news about overtime overspending, the still-unsolved investigation into the disappearance of a 7-year-old Portland boy, Kryon Horman, questions about the over-use of immigration holds and a senior staffer's paid trip to a border school hosted by what the Southern Poverty Law Center labeled a "hate group."

Staton won election in 2010, defeating fellow Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office employee Muhammud Ra’oof by a four-to-one margin.

He was then backed by the Multnomah County Corrections Deputies Association, which funded more than 40 percent of his campaign, campaign finance filings.

Perhaps because Staton faces no opposition, the deputies’ union hasn’t contributed yet this cycle. Instead Staton’s biggest funder is Whiskyfest Northwest operator Samuel Watson, who has contributed $6,000. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union has also given Staton $3,000.