State Rep. Mark Ericks nominated to be U.S. marshal
Published 10:47 pm Saturday, July 18, 2009
OLYMPIA — Democratic State Rep. Mark Ericks of Bothell may soon have a new career: U.S. marshal.
The former Bothell police chief is seeking appointment by President Barack Obama to run operations of the U.S. Marshals Service in Snohomish, Island and 17 other counties in Western Washington.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., submitted Ericks’ name to the president in May. He thinks he is the only candidate.
“It’s a great opportunity to do something I’ve always loved, law enforcement, and I can do it again at a different level. I also will be able to spend more time at home,” he said. “But it’s a process. Who knows how it will turn out?”
Or when.
Obama’s staff would exhaustively check Ericks’ background before forwarding his name to the U.S. Senate for confirmation hearings and a vote. The process could last months and stretch into next year, Ericks said.
The U.S. Marshals Service provides for the security of federal courthouses, the transporting of federal prisoners, and the tracking and capturing of federal fugitives.
Ericks would replace Joe Hawe as marshal in the Western District, which is headquartered in Seattle and operates from the Oregon border north to Canada and east to the Cascades
Hawe was appointed March 19, 2008, by former President George W. Bush. Hawe, a former Clallam County sheriff, beat out two others under consideration, including then Snohomish County Sheriff Rick Bart.
Ericks, 58, worked 18 years in the Bellevue Police Department from street cop to major crimes commander and then 12 years as Bothell’s police chief. He also served three years as that city’s director of administrative services.
He was elected to the Legislature in 2004. He is in his third term from the 1st District, which includes Bothell, Mountlake Terrace, Maltby and Brier.
Ericks is vice-chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, a post that had him deeply involved in writing this year’s state budget. He also serves on the House’s finance and rules committees.
He said he plans to remain in office until, and if, he gets the marshal’s job. If it doesn’t work out, he said he will run again in 2010.
Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623, jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
