By Krista J. Kapralos, Herald Writer
The president of the NAACP's Snohomish County chapter resigned this week in order to run for re-election as Superior Court judge.
Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Eric Lucas, who has been the chapter's president since October, stepped down on Monday, the same day he filed to run for re-election. According to national NAACP rules, candidates running for public office must suspend their NAACP activities while they campaign.
Wally Webster, the chapter's first vice president, has assumed the role as president.
Lucas said he didn't know about that rule when he became president.
"I still would have taken the position, because I took over in an emergency situation," Lucas said. "The emergency was the most important factor."
The NAACP chapter has emerged as a growing and active community since Lucas was elected as its leader. He took the reins from Everett City Councilman Ron Gipson, who allowed the group to languish by neglecting to hold meetings, according to chapter members. The chapter's executive committee declared the position of president vacant at a meeting held in October, when Lucas was elected. Gipson did not attend that meeting, and said later that he wasn't aware he'd been ousted as the chapter's leader.
Gipson was elected president of the chapter in October 2006. He ran for re-election for his position on the Everett City Council during his year as NAACP president.
Webster, a senior vice president for process design at Bank of America in Seattle, was raised in segregated Alabama. He has lived in Snohomish County for nearly 30 years.
"Growing up in the South, I am fully aware of what the NAACP has accomplished," he said. "This is my opportunity to get involved and make a contribution."
Lucas said he intends to remain involved with the chapter. It's not clear how long Webster will be chapter president.
The chapter honors local minorities each month through its Heroes and Minorities Students of the Month program.
The chapter meets at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the Snohomish County Public Utility District building, 2320 California St., Everett.
Reporter Krista J. Kapralos: 425-339-3422 or kkapralos@heraldnet.com.
