Landslide for Coverley in DCSO sheriff race

Updated 11:12pm

By Kathryn Reed

Douglas County Sheriff Ron Pierini’s heir apparent, Dan Coverley, will be the next sheriff.

Coverley is a captain, having spent 21 of his 23 years in law enforcement with Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

Dan Coverley

He pulled in 53.79 percent of the vote, with 6,954 votes. The next closest of the three other contenders was DCSO Capt. Joe Duffy with 3,173 votes, or 24.54 percent.

Coverley will not face a runoff in November. To be a clear winner he needed 50 percent of the vote plus one.

“It’s very humbling to think there are that many people and that much support. They put their faith in me so I will have to work to deliver my best,” Coverley told Lake Tahoe News on election night. “We will work closely with Sheriff Pierini to have a smooth transition.”

Early on Pierini endorsed Coverley, who has most recently been working at the Tahoe substation.

The vacancy comes about because Pierini is calling it quits. He has been sheriff since he was appointed to the position in 1997. In December he will wrap up his fifth four-year term.

Other challengers in the June 12 primary were David Brady with 15.25 percent, 1,971 votes; and Dean Paris with 6.42 percent, 830 votes.