Published: Sunday, December 9, 2007
Who's got a shot at a seat in the '08 session
Snohomish County's delegation of state lawmakers will be transfused with new blood in the 2008 session.
Three seats are opening up as Democratic Reps. Brian Sullivan and John Lovick leave for political posts in the county and Republican Rep. Chris Strow departs for greener pastures closer to home.
Right now Democrats are hoping to avoid permanent scarring from the competition of those vying to succeed Sullivan and Lovick. A key moment arrives next Saturday in Everett, when precinct committee officers gather to name and maybe rank three choices for each seat.
They'll pocket those names until January, then send them to the Snohomish County Council -- with newcomers Sullivan and Mike Cooper -- to make the appointments before the legislative session starts Jan. 14.
By comparison, Republicans are barely under way in their process; Strow just announced his resignation Thursday.
Logistically, it will be a challenge. Strow serves in the 10th District, which runs through Island, Skagit and Snohomish counties. GOP precinct leaders of the counties must get together to come up with three names, and then elected officials of the three counties will meet to choose one.
Here's a rundown on how things are shaping up.
21st District
This one is messy.
Snohomish County Labor Council President Darrell Chapman, Mukilteo City Councilman Marko Liias and Lynnwood Councilman Mark Smith want Sullivan's job.
Odds are Chapman or Liias will get it.
Chapman is endorsed by Sullivan and Cooper -- which is a mighty strong position to be in.
But Liias has reportedly lined up commitments from the most precinct committee officers.
If Liias can force a vote Saturday of the rank-and-file, come out first and get that tally to County Council members, they will find themselves in a bit of a conundrum.
The council is not obligated to pick the top vote-getter. But its four Democrats -- Sullivan, Cooper, Dave Gossett and Dave Somers -- will think hard before overriding the wishes of the party's frontline forces.
44th District
This one seems all but decided.
Former Snohomish Mayor Liz Loomis, Snohomish County Democratic Party Chairman Mark Hintz and onetime state Senate candidate Lillian Kaufer are the three seeking to follow Lovick.
Loomis is the heavy favorite. She's gained backing from many of the activists meeting this week and endorsements from unions and Cooper. Kaufer even co-hosted a little gathering for Loomis to meet precinct committee officers.
On the day of the Legislature's special session, Loomis was in Olympia sitting in the wings of the House of Representatives. She did not go unnoticed by lawmakers.
10th District
It'll be a few days before all names of potential successors are known. Strow just announced last week that he was resigning.
Norma Smith is going to seek the job, and she's got Strow's backing. Other possible names are Island County Commissioner Mac McDowell and a former candidate for commissioner, Reece Rose.
Reporter Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
Three seats are opening up as Democratic Reps. Brian Sullivan and John Lovick leave for political posts in the county and Republican Rep. Chris Strow departs for greener pastures closer to home.
Right now Democrats are hoping to avoid permanent scarring from the competition of those vying to succeed Sullivan and Lovick. A key moment arrives next Saturday in Everett, when precinct committee officers gather to name and maybe rank three choices for each seat.
They'll pocket those names until January, then send them to the Snohomish County Council -- with newcomers Sullivan and Mike Cooper -- to make the appointments before the legislative session starts Jan. 14.
By comparison, Republicans are barely under way in their process; Strow just announced his resignation Thursday.
Logistically, it will be a challenge. Strow serves in the 10th District, which runs through Island, Skagit and Snohomish counties. GOP precinct leaders of the counties must get together to come up with three names, and then elected officials of the three counties will meet to choose one.
Here's a rundown on how things are shaping up.
21st District
This one is messy.
Snohomish County Labor Council President Darrell Chapman, Mukilteo City Councilman Marko Liias and Lynnwood Councilman Mark Smith want Sullivan's job.
Odds are Chapman or Liias will get it.
Chapman is endorsed by Sullivan and Cooper -- which is a mighty strong position to be in.
But Liias has reportedly lined up commitments from the most precinct committee officers.
If Liias can force a vote Saturday of the rank-and-file, come out first and get that tally to County Council members, they will find themselves in a bit of a conundrum.
The council is not obligated to pick the top vote-getter. But its four Democrats -- Sullivan, Cooper, Dave Gossett and Dave Somers -- will think hard before overriding the wishes of the party's frontline forces.
44th District
This one seems all but decided.
Former Snohomish Mayor Liz Loomis, Snohomish County Democratic Party Chairman Mark Hintz and onetime state Senate candidate Lillian Kaufer are the three seeking to follow Lovick.
Loomis is the heavy favorite. She's gained backing from many of the activists meeting this week and endorsements from unions and Cooper. Kaufer even co-hosted a little gathering for Loomis to meet precinct committee officers.
On the day of the Legislature's special session, Loomis was in Olympia sitting in the wings of the House of Representatives. She did not go unnoticed by lawmakers.
10th District
It'll be a few days before all names of potential successors are known. Strow just announced last week that he was resigning.
Norma Smith is going to seek the job, and she's got Strow's backing. Other possible names are Island County Commissioner Mac McDowell and a former candidate for commissioner, Reece Rose.
Reporter Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
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