Let’s Replace Dow With Someone Not Like Him
post by Carl
That’s the Seattle Times’ recommendation for filling the vacancy in the County Council when Dow became Exec.
METROPOLITAN King County Council members must be forward-thinking and willing to select an independent or moderate to fill the council seat vacated by new County Executive Dow Constantine.
It only makes sense: Dow ran (a) for that seat and then (b) for Executive as a “moderate” and an “independent” so that should be what replaces him. After all, who better to represent West Seattle, Vashon, and some close in-suburbs than someone who disagrees politically with Vashon, Seattle and the close-in suburbs? It’s the kind of logic that led the Seattle Times to endorse Susan Hutchinson even when she was too right wing for the Alki Foundation.
Constantine’s swearing-in as executive last week created a vacancy and an automatic problem for approving either a caretaker or an individual eager to run for the post next November.
So you don’t have a name, just a feeling, man: Someone the Blethens and the rest of the establishment finds moderate.
Although the council job is officially nonpartisan, as of a public vote last year, Republicans and Democrats still divide along party lines on matters deemed partisan, such as selecting a replacement for Constantine, a Democrat from West Seattle.
Someone told me (and a quick Google search failed to confirm or not) that if the council waits long enough we kick the can down to Governor Gregoire. While I’m not thrilled with who she’d pick (Mallahan?) I’d prefer her to 4 Republicans (Sharkansky?). Does anyone know if that’s true?
Eleven individuals have applied. The danger is a stalemate that leaves 4-4 ties on votes for potential replacements. Let’s not go there.
I already did. Anyway, then there are several paragraphs explaining the process and that it’ll be tough to find a replacement.
The best bet, especially with a county facing so many financial troubles, is to fill this job in an orderly manner. The way to make that happen is to select an individual who is independent or politically moderate enough to fill the seat the next year.
I’d think the best bet would be to speed up an election, so it doesn’t have to be a year. But, you know, whatever.
December 1st, 2009 at 6:50 am
Not to worry “Carl,” I doubt Gregoire would appoint someone who DOESN’T LIVE IN THE DISTRICT, even if it was legal.