Skagit Treasurer Candidate Timothy Garrison Sees Runoff After Federal Fraud Conviction

Timothy Garrison is running for Skagit County treasurer.

He faces incumbent Democrat Jackie Brunson in the November 3 general election. Garrison qualified for the ballot as a write-in candidate during the August primary. He is one of four candidates who entered the race through that method.

Garrison cites 50 years of experience as a tax accountant. He holds degrees in business administration and finance. He stated he would bring a careful approach to safeguarding public funds. He said he would not allow improper or unlawful transactions under his watch.

Garrison pleaded guilty to federal tax fraud in 2012. He served a prison sentence from 2012 to 2015. The U.S. Marshals Service investigation found he prepared more than 50 returns with false information. This resulted in a tax loss of more than $2.5 million. The IRS stripped him of his enrolled agent license. He also removed six liens he placed on the properties of public servants in Skagit County.

Garrison declined to discuss his prison time in a phone call on October 20. He hung up before a question was fully asked. He did not respond to multiple follow-up requests. He skipped the Skagit County Republican Party endorsement interview. The party declined to endorse him.

Bill Bruch, the Skagit County GOP chair, said finding qualified candidates is difficult. He stated that supporting an unqualified candidate is not in anyone's best interest. Bruch noted that Brunson is experienced and well respected. He said the party would have supported a good conservative, but Garrison never passed vetting.

Garrison’s legal history dates back to 1984. He was convicted of mail fraud that year. He opened a tax preparation business in 1988. Court documents show he prepared between 200 and 400 returns annually. Seventeen of his clients audited between 2004 and 2009 owed average back taxes exceeding $20,000 per return.

Brunson said the office requires specific trust. She noted that Garrison highlights his business ownership and accounting years. She pointed out that he was filing fraudulent returns during that time. Garrison attended a League of Women Voters forum on October 5. He described the audience as kind. Brunson said her office has digitized records and updated its investment policy. These changes have saved tens of thousands of dollars in banking fees.