Political jockeying to fill Mike Cooper’s soon-to-be vacant Snohomish County Council seat is in full swing, now that Cooper is set to be Edmonds’ next mayor.
Lynnwood City Council Vice President Stephanie Wright and Edmonds City Councilman D.J. Wilson have both told Democratic Party leaders they are interested in the job.
Because Cooper is a Democrat, party precinct committee officers in Snohomish County will play a key role in choosing up to three candidates eligible to fill out the rest of his County Council term through 2011. A naming convention to decide those choices is expected at the end of July.
“With 10 days to go before the convention, anybody can jump in,” said Bill Phillips, Snohomish County Democratic Party chairman.
A third politician who was the subject of speculation that he would vie for Cooper’s seat announced today that he intends to stay in the Legislature. State Rep. Marko Liias, D-Mukilteo, said he supports Wright’s bid to replace Cooper.
Edmonds City Council chose Cooper by a 4-3 vote Tuesday night. He will replace former Mayor Gary Haakenson, who left his city post to take a job as Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon’s second in command.
Cooper’s resignation is scheduled to take effect at 4 p.m. Friday, County Council Chairman Dave Gossett said.
By Aug. 2, the Snohomish County Council should have three names in hand, Phillips said. Gossett said the council would interview all prospective candidates and likely make a selection later that month.
Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465, nhaglund@heraldnet.com.
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