COLFAX, WA – Whitman County Coroner Annie Pillers is not running for re-election and is endorsing her Chief Deputy Cassie Richardson.

Pillers has served in the coroner’s office since 2008 and was first elected coroner in 2018. In her retirement announcement Thursday, Pillers said the last 17 years have been the most privileged time of her life. She went on to say that the service has, “shaped my soul in ways never imagined.” Pillers is expressing her full support for Chief Deputy Richardson to be the next Whitman County Coroner.

Shortly after Pillers statement, Richardson announced her campaign on Thursday. She has served as a deputy coroner since 2022 and was promoted to chief deputy last year. Richardson has a degree in chemistry and forensic science and has over ten years of laboratory work experience. She is a Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission certified medicolegal death investigator and is pursuing national certification. Richardson says she wants to build on the legacy of professionalism, compassion and integrity established by Pillers.

Candidate filing for seats up for election this year in Washington runs in May.