EVERETT — Former Snohomish Mayor Liz Loomis and Mukilteo Councilman Marko Liias moved a step closer Saturday to gaining two vacant seats in the state Legislature.

Snohomish County Democratic Party activists voted Saturday to name Loomis and Liias their top choices to succeed state Reps. John Lovick and Brian Sullivan.

But they will not be the only ones the Snohomish County Council will interview before it makes the appointments in January.

State law calls for the party to send the council the names of three people for each seat. Democrats gathered at the Labor Temple in Everett on Saturday to draw up those lists and rank their preferences.

Loomis, looking to succeed Lovick in the 44th Legislative District, collected 52 of 67 votes. Kerry Watkins and Lillian Kaufer followed respectively.

Liias, hoping to occupy Sullivan’s seat in the 21st Legislative District, received 22 votes, edging out Lynnwood Councilman Mark Smith with 16 and Snohomish County Labor Council President Darrell Chapman with 15.

While Loomis and Liias are now the leading candidates, neither is assured appointment; the council is not obligated to follow the poll results.

That happened in 2004 when the council, then with a Republican majority, selected David Simpson to fill an unexpired term, even though Mike Sells garnered greater support from precinct leaders.

“We have to keep working with the County Council to convince them that I’m the best candidate,” Liias said.

Chapman, who’s worked in party politics longer than any of the hopefuls, said he was “a little shocked” at finishing third but won’t stop pursuing the appointment.

“Why would I give up? The County Council is going to have to make the decision,” he said.

It won’t be easy for the two incoming members — Sullivan and Mike Cooper. Both live in the 21st District and endorsed Chapman before Saturday’s vote.

“It is incumbent upon me to be fair and neutral,” Sullivan said, adding he’ll consider their qualifications and vote totals before deciding.

“It’s been a tradition that Democrats always support the choice of Democrats,” he said.

Cooper said Saturday’s vote gives Liias an edge but not a guarantee.

“We’ll have interviews. It’s always difficult to go against the wishes of the party, especially in your own district,” said Cooper, a former state representative in the district.

Mark Hintz, chairman of the Snohomish County Democratic Party, said the ranking should guide the council.

“I think (the council) should vote the will of the party,” Hintz said. “If they do anything other than that they are not respecting the party.”

Council members should feel far less angst in appointing Loomis given her strong showing. She said she’s not taking anything for granted.

“I’m going to work as hard over the next month as I have the past year to convince the County Council that I’m the best individual,” Loomis said.

Reporter Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.