Coreen Schnepf Announces Candidacy for Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney

After Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney Mary Robnett informed her team at the Prosecutor's Office Tuesday that she is not seeking re-election, Coreen Schnepf, the office’s Chief Criminal Deputy, announced today that she is running for Prosecutor.

Schnepf [pronounced “Shneff”] is putting together a campaign and will be filing for office during filing week in May.

Coreen currently leads the office’s Criminal Division of 200 employees. She has spent nearly two decades prosecuting serious crimes, including homicides, domestic violence, and human trafficking.

“As Prosecuting Attorney, my focus will be straightforward: protect our community, support victims, and make sure cases are prosecuted firmly, fairly, and based on the evidence,” Coreen said. “This job isn’t about politics. It’s about doing the work the right way — every case, every day.”

Mary Robnett firmly backs Coreen for Prosecutor, saying, “Coreen represents the next generation of leadership. She is an effective prosecutor and leader. I know she will continue to make Pierce County a safer place to live by leading a digital transformation in the Prosecutor’s Office, which is so critical to achieving justice.”

Former Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna also believes Coreen is the best choice for Prosecutor due to her track record of prosecuting and winning cases against some of Pierce County’s worst offenders.

“Coreen Schnepf is a formidable prosecutor. She has the courage to take on the toughest cases and won’t back down. Coreen will be a strong leader for the Prosecutor’s Office,” said McKenna.

In her current role, Coreen oversees the Criminal Division and works closely with justice system partners to keep cases moving and ensure accountability in court. She is also nationally recognized for modern prosecution skills, including the effective use of digital evidence, which is an increasingly critical tool in building cases that hold up and protect the public.

From their work together on the Washington State Task Force Against the Trafficking of Persons and efforts to increase penalties for adults who expose children to fentanyl, State Rep. Mari Leavitt knows Coreen will be a dedicated partner in the Prosecutor’s Office.

“Coreen brings a human approach to criminal justice, centering her decision making on the people involved. For Coreen, it’s not just about winning court cases. It’s about protecting children, finding justice for human trafficking survivors, and importantly compassion and helping people get on a better path,” said Leavitt.

Coreen and her husband Mike, a law enforcement officer, are raising their four children in Tacoma.