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Monday, February 2, 2009

Politics Sims to HUD

Posted by Erica C. Barnett on Mon, Feb 2, 2009 at 10:20 AM

As we reported here two weeks ago—and despite the repeated, categorical denials of his spokeswoman, Natasha Jones—King County Exec Ron Sims is taking a position with the department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Publicola reports that Sims will be deputy director. Sims' departure will open up a mad scramble among county Democrats to replace him. Currently, the three front-runners are county council members Larry Phillips, Bob Ferguson, and Dow Constantine. The county council will choose Sims' successor, who will fill the position until November, when that person will have to run for reelection.

Phillips announced last week that he is running for county executive. Ferguson and Constantine are both known to be interested in the position.

The county council, though officially "nonpartisan," is actually made up of five Democrats and four Republicans. Unless Phillips can get the votes of all the Democrats—unlikely, given that two of those Democrats are interested in the position themselves—I'm guessing the job is going to go to somebody else, because it's hard to imagine Republicans voting for a liberal Seattle rep like Phillips, even if they do like him personally. Constantine, obviously, has the same problem. The Republicans also seem unlikely to give Ferguson, a tough campaigner who twice defeated sitting members of the county council, a running start (and Ferguson doesn't have any more friends on the council than Phillips does). So the most likely possibility right now is that the council appoints a placeholder—someone Republicans can vote for (perhaps a moderate Republican like former state Sen. Bill Finkbeiner) or someone who can't win or won't seek reelection (Larry Gossett? Charles Royer?) All of this is just speculation at this point, but won't be for long—the county council will have to move fast to replace Sims, who officially announced he was leaving at a press conference this morning.

Comments (19) RSS

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Go Dow Go!

Posted by Meatbot 3000 on February 2, 2009 at 10:02 AM

Big shoes to fill. I really liked Sims.

Posted by ZPG on February 2, 2009 at 10:08 AM

Too late to save face, ecb.

Posted by Old on February 2, 2009 at 10:36 AM

Ron Sims was elected as a partisan office-holder. Are you sure that state law provisions for replacing partisan officeholders (appointment by party PCOs) aren't still in effect, until non-partisan officeholders are elected this next November?

Posted by Perfect Voter on February 2, 2009 at 10:47 AM

HAHAHA. I love it. Every time the Stranger tries to do some real news, they legitimize themselves repeatedly.

Yes, ECB, two weeks ago you reported on rumors. Hurrah! Thanks for the link to remind us.

Posted by I look forward when ECB leaves on February 2, 2009 at 10:48 AM

@4: Sorry, no PCO vote.

Here's the new language added by KC Charter Amendment 8 (non-partisan offices): "The acting official shall serve until the vacancy is filled by appointment pursuant to general law for nonpartisan county elective offices."

Posted by J.R. on February 2, 2009 at 11:02 AM

WTH? You and Josh get the scoop when you report an unverified rumor?

Posted by Trevor on February 2, 2009 at 11:05 AM

"If I leave, my replacement as Executive will be chosen by a vote of the King County Council. I have respectfully offered them my advice on how to transition to a new Executive.
I suggested that the Council select a caretaker Executive to serve out the remainder of 2009. This interim Executive should be a person of unquestioned experience, stature and integrity who has no intention of running in the November 2009 election. There are many in our community that could be trusted with such stewardship.
Why a caretaker? Because this is a unique election and the people of King County must make this decision. Last November the voters overwhelmingly decided to make the positions of King County Executive and Council non-partisan. The first truly non-partisan Executive should be selected by the public. In this historic election, with so much at stake, voters should be allowed to select from a field of exceptional candidates, fully vetted by the crucible of a public campaign.
There are outstanding Washington State legislators in both the House and the Senate who deserve the opportunity to complete the legislative session and still compete for this office. This may also be the first time in the history of King County that the Executive can be elected from outside of Seattle. There are extraordinary individuals from the suburbs who merit strong consideration. All candidates deserve a level playing field. A caretaker Executive will provide the stability necessary to allow a full election to take place. A caretaker Executive will be able to make the right decisions for the future of King County without worrying about the politics of reelection.
But as I said, ultimately this decision will be made by the Council, not me. I do not envy them the task but I do pledge my support to make the decision and the transition as smooth and as seamless as possible."

Taken from a letter he sent to KC employees.

More...

Posted by @ on February 2, 2009 at 11:33 AM

Dow should run! We need a smart, progressive, visionary Executive who can naturally reach out to and identify with younger generation who continue to move into the County. Dow is the man for this.

Posted by Meinert on February 2, 2009 at 11:45 AM

Anything to get that fatåss out of King County can't be a bad thing.

Posted by Joseph on February 2, 2009 at 12:09 PM

YAY!
Don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out!
Can you take the rest of the council with you?
PLEASE??!!

Posted by me on February 2, 2009 at 12:31 PM

Sims is a fine example of why only property owners should be allowed to vote on property tax increases.

Posted by Homegirl on February 2, 2009 at 12:40 PM

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Posted by Comment Deleted on February 2, 2009 at 12:59 PM

I want a "for Seattle" exec, rather than a "from Seattle" exec.

Posted by AJ on February 2, 2009 at 1:18 PM

@14 for the obvious win.

Posted by Will in Seattle on February 2, 2009 at 1:44 PM

I'm not sure I understand why anyone thinks the County Executive should be "for Seattle." That's been Sims' problem all along; he's too Seattle-centric. King County is a hell of a lot more than just Seattle.

Posted by Geni on February 2, 2009 at 2:53 PM

ECB,
the usual term is caretaker, not placeholder.
among the caretaker possibilities are former executives Locke, Revelle, and Hill and former mayors Rice, Royer, and Uhlman.
a key difference between Ferguson and Patterson on the one hand and Phillips and Constantine on the other hand, is the that former pair are from odd-numbered council districts that are up for election this year, while the latter pair are from even-numbered council districts that have a free rider this year.
there are many potential candidates that could run in the August primary election.
it would be difficult for a non caretaker councilmember to reach five votes with competition from another councillmember. we shall see. Gossett has a job.

Posted by eddiew on February 2, 2009 at 8:47 PM

Dow is really the way to go on this -- who else has both the smarts and the guts? He has really been the smartest voice on limiting sprawl and promoting density, and he has championed the associated issue of public transit. Anyone who sees him in a meeting knows that he can grasp the details of even the most mundane proposals -- bus fares, land use regulations, etc.

Phillips has been on the Council long enough to remember serving with a Councilmember Sims. He was Council chair for an unprecedented three years. For him to talk about change is laughable.

Posted by Tyler on February 3, 2009 at 8:49 AM

They should appoint me. I promise not to run for the position in November, even!

Posted by NaFun on February 3, 2009 at 10:13 AM