Hans Dunshee

Hans Dunshee

Palumbo favored for Somers’ former County Council seat

  • By Noah Haglund Herald Writer
  • Saturday, February 6, 2016 2:22pm
  • Local News

EVERETT — Guy Palumbo earned Democrats’ support Saturday as their top pick to fill Executive Dave Somers’ former seat on the Snohomish County Council.

But it’s up to county council members to make the final selection. State Rep. Hans Dunshee, who finished second to Palumbo, said he’s still intent on winning the appointment to the District 5 seat. Mark Hintz, who finished third, also will be among the nominees whose names the council can consider, but he’s asking them to pick Palumbo to respect the party’s wishes.

Palumbo, a fire commissioner and planning commissioner from Maltby, credited his victory to hard work at convincing party members that he’s mastered the most crucial issues facing the county. He’s delved into topics such as urban sprawl, traffic and county finances.

“I appreciate that it was an issues-based campaign,” he said. “Now I have to move on and convince the council that I’m the right person for the job.”

Only Democratic precinct committee officers from east county were eligible to participate in Saturday’s vote.

Palumbo beat Dunshee 17 to 11 votes. Hintz, a fire commissioner who lives near Snohomish, got three.

It might take the County Council until Feb. 29 to schedule interviews with the nominees and vote on the appointment. By law, that’s their last day to fill the vacancy. If a majority of the remaining four council members can’t line up behind a candidate by that time, the choice would go to Gov. Jay Inslee, a Dunshee ally.

“I’m here in Olympia, doing the people’s work,” Dunshee said afterward. “Guy campaigned hard. Congratulations to him.”

But the Democrat from Snohomish likened the party vote to a primary election. Dunshee said he’s trailed in primaries before and prevailed in the general election.

“This is the nomination, not the general election,” he said.

Hintz said he will support Palumbo. Party leaders sent a letter to the council asking their support for the top choice by precinct committee officers.

“If the council were to choose me, I’d have to turn it down,” Hintz said. “Guy got the votes and he is the person who should be appointed. That’s the democratic way.”

That pits Dunshee, 62, who has been in office for two decades, against the lesser-known Palumbo.

During introductions before Saturday’s vote at the Everett Labor Temple, Dunshee described himself as a “proven warrior for the things that matter to us.” He’d just finished talking about his support from labor, environmental activists and other traditionally Democratic-leaning groups. Dunshee is the Democrats’ main budget writer during the current legislative session.

Palumbo is originally from New York. He’s 42, and owns Roscoe’s Ranch, a dog-boarding business. Earlier, he worked in high tech at Amazon.

Michael McConnell, a president for firefighters in two local districts, gave an apt description Palumbo when he spoke in support of his candidacy.

“When you first meet Guy, some people don’t know how to handle his intensity,” McConnell said, adding, “I wouldn’t change it if I could.”

The District 5 council seat includes Lake Stevens, Monroe, Snohomish and areas farther east on the U.S. 2 corridor. They’ve been without representation on the council since Jan. 1. The position opened up after Somers replaced John Lovick as executive, following his victory over the fellow Democrat in November.

Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465; nhaglund@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @NWhaglund.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Janet Garcia walks into the courtroom for her arraignment at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Monday, April 22, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett mother found competent to stand trial in stabbing death of 4-year-old son

A year after her arraignment, Janet Garcia appeared in court Wednesday for a competency hearing in the death of her son, Ariel Garcia.

Everett council member to retire at end of term

Liz Vogeli’s retirement from the council opens up the race in the November election for Everett’s District 4 seat.

Washington State Department of Commerce Director Joe Nguyễn speaks during the Economic Alliance Snohomish County’s Annual Meeting and Awards events on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tulalip, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Commerce boss: How Washington state can make it easier for small businesses

Joe Nguyen made the remarks Wednesday during the annual meeting of the Economic Alliance Snohomish County and the Snohomish County Awards

LifeWise local co-directors Darcie Hammer and Sarah Sweeny talk about what a typical classroom routine looks like on Monday, April 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett off-campus Bible program draws mixed reaction from parents

The weekly optional program, LifeWise Academy, takes children out of public school during the day for religious lessons.

An EcoRemedy employee checks a control panel of their equipment at the Edmonds Wastewater Treatment Plant on Thursday, April 17, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds launches technology to destroy PFAS

Edmonds is the first city in the country to implement… Continue reading

Mary Ann Karber, 101, spins the wheel during Wheel of Forunte at Washington Oakes on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lunch and Wheel of Fortune with some Everett swinging seniors

She’s 101 and he’s 76. At Washington Oakes, fun and friendship are on the menu.

Christian Sayre sits in the courtroom before the start of jury selection on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Jury selection begins in latest trial of former Everett bar owner

Opening statements for Christian Sayre’s fourth trial are scheduled for Monday. It is expected to conclude by May 16.

Ian Terry / The Herald

Zachary Mallon, an ecologist with the Adopt A Stream Foundation, checks the banks of Catherine Creek in Lake Stevens for a spot to live stake a willow tree during a volunteer event on Saturday, Feb. 10. Over 40 volunteers chipped in to plant 350 trees and lay 20 cubic yards of mulch to help provide a natural buffer for the stream.

Photo taken on 02102018
Snohomish County salmon recovery projects receive $1.9M in state funding

The latest round of Climate Commitment Act dollars will support fish barrier removals and habitat restoration work.

Fosse will not seek reelection; 2 candidates set to run for her seat

Mason Rutledge and Sam Hem announced this week they will seek the District 1 City Council position.

A few significant tax bills form the financial linchpin to the state’s next budget and would generate the revenue needed to erase a chunk of a shortfall Ferguson has pegged at $16 billion over the next four fiscal years. The tax package is expected to net around $9.4 billion over that time. (Stock photo)
Five tax bills lawmakers passed to underpin Washington’s next state budget

Business tax hikes make up more than half of the roughly $9 billion package, which still needs a sign-off from Gov. Bob Ferguson.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Brier in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Brier police levy fails; officials warn current staffing is not sustainable

With no new funding, officials say the department will remain stretched thin.

K-POP Empire store owners Todd Dickinson and Ricky Steinlars at their new store location on Thursday, April 17, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood K-pop store wary of new tariffs

Much of the store’s merchandise, which arrives from China and South Korea, is facing new import fees.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.