With Snohomish County leadership a frequent presence on the front page of The Herald, notably regarding the county’s now-stalled courthouse project and the disagreements between the county executive and the county council on the county’s financial health, its budget and the hiring and raises for county employees, maybe it shouldn’t be surprising to see traditional allies, and Democrats at that, taking sides regarding two contested races.
The peculiarities of the state’s top-two primary system, which sends the top two candidates garnering votes in the primary to the general election, regardless of party affiliation, means that two Democrats are running against each other for both county executive and Position 2 of the County Council, which represents the Tulalip Tribes reservation, Everett and Mukilteo.
Prior to the primary, The Herald Editorial Board endorsed Dave Somers for the county executive post. Particularly following the Oso landslide disaster in 2014, County Executive John Lovick proved himself to be a compassionate and motivating leader, but we believe as the county moves forward it needs the financial and management skills that Somers has displayed in his 14 years of service on the council.
It’s out of the same concern for financial stability and good management that The Herald endorses political newcomer Greg Tisdel for the county council over incumbent council member Brian Sullivan.
Sullivan, a Mariner High School graduate, has an admirable record of service, starting with time as a city council member and mayor of his hometown Mukilteo, later as a state representative and since 2007 as the county council’s District 2 representative. Nor can we question his commitment to the county and the communities he serves. He was a vocal supporter of the campaign to convince Boeing to build its 777x plant in Everett and has been credited for his participation in winning nearly $670 million in state transportation spending for the county earlier this year.
Sullivan also bucked party loyalty with his open criticism of fellow Democrat Aaron Reardon during the former county executive’s tumultuous career.
Despite that record, there is enough frustration with the discord among county leaders that Sullivan appears to have lost the confidence of past allies. Among those now supporting Tisdel for the county council are Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson, former County Executive Bob Drewell and Connie Niva, a former city council member and former port commissioner for Everett.
Tisdel, who grew up in Picnic Point, south of Mukilteo, and graduated from Meadowdale High School, has not served in public office. Yet he still has a long record of public service to the region, going back to his work on the campaign to bring the U.S Navy base to Everett, the expansion of Providence Regional Medical Center, the building of Xfinity Arena and more recently attracting Washington State University’s participation with the Everett University Center and its WSU North Puget Sound.
Tisdel’s past work as an adviser with the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County also adds to his resume.
Tisdel, who bought his father’s door company, Tiz’s Door Sales, in 1993, then closed it in 2010 during the recession, explained he preferred to close the company rather than go into bankruptcy. It’s an attitude that shows an ability to make difficult financial decisions.
Tisdel expresses support for many of the efforts and initiatives that we see as important to the county, including transportation, economic development and social issues, including homelessness, addiction and senior services.
His focus on fiscal issues, adding his support to the leadership we hope Dave Somers will bring as county executive, will be significant as the county moves forward and away from its recent history of strife and disappointing front page news.
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