If you have ever considered running for office, this might be your year.
This is considered a “local” year under the election cycle, and offices from water-sewer commissioner to county executive will be up for grabs.
With current King County Executive Ron Sims moving to Washington, D.C., there will be a new county leader come November. As soon as Sims is confirmed by the U.S. Senate, he will resign, and an interim county executive will be appointed by the King County Council to serve until the election is certified.
The Democrats hold the cards, as there are five of them, and you need five votes to get the job. However, council members Larry Phillips and Bob Ferguson are still making moves to get the appointment. Phillips and council member Dow Constantine have already announced their plans to run, no matter what happens
The Republicans are locked up on wanting a caretaker, as are Sims and Constantine. So the Democrats may fumble a chance to ensure a Democratic victory in the fall by not being able to agree on who should get the interim job.
If that happens, the executive’s chief of staff, Kurt Triplett, would be the acting executive until the council decides otherwise. Unless a deal is brokered, Triplett may get the five votes to stay until November.
Both of our area county council members — Pete von Reichbauer and Julia Patterson — are up for election. So far, neither has any known opposition.
There was a rumor circulating that Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke might challenge Patterson, but since she is up for election in Kent, that seems unlikely.
Auburn Mayor Pete Lewis is also up this year and has been getting a fair amount of criticism for his focus on downtown. However, his only potential opponent, council member Virginia Haugen, is caught up in the legal system. She got involved in a political prank and ended up in court. She was found “not guilty,” so this race could get interesting.
In Federal Way, city council members Jeanne Burbidge, Eric Faison and Linda Kochmar are all likely to run for re-election.
Both Federal Way judges are also up this year. David Larson was appointed to fill the remainder of former judge Colleen Hartl’s term when she resigned, and he must now face voters. Judge Michael Morgan is completing his first term and despite some controversy, most observers expect him to run again.
The Federal Way School Board will have three positions up for election. Angela Griffin (position 4) was appointed to fill Tom Madden’s position when he resigned. And Tony Moore (position 5) was appointed when David Larson resigned to become a Federal Way judge. As appointees, both Griffin and Moore must stand for election. Longtime school board member Ed Barney is also up for election, and most believe he won’t run again. If you’re interested in any of these positions, remember, you have to live in the district you want to represent.
The South King Fire and Rescue Department has two board positions up for election. However, due to the merger with Des Moines, they have three incumbents running for these two seats. They are Roger Hershey and Mark Freitas from Federal Way and Jerry Harris from Des Moines. The terms are six years, and you actually get a small stipend for attending meetings.
The same is true if you’re interested in serving on the board of commissioners for the Lakehaven Utility District, which has two incumbents; Ronald Nowicki and Charles Gibson are up for election this year.
Wow, that’s a lot! You should find something in that list that appeals to you. If not, at least pick a candidate to support and study the issues. We’ll do more on each race later.
