Sultan Mayor Carolyn Eslick is congratulated after she is appointed to fill a vacancy in the state’s House of Representatives at the Snohomish County Council Chambers on Wednesday in Everett. Eslick fills the position created by the resignation of Arlington Republican John Koster. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Sultan Mayor Carolyn Eslick is congratulated after she is appointed to fill a vacancy in the state’s House of Representatives at the Snohomish County Council Chambers on Wednesday in Everett. Eslick fills the position created by the resignation of Arlington Republican John Koster. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

They chose the longshot candidate to fill a vacant seat

Sultan Mayor Carolyn Eslick will serve as representative for the 39th legislative district.

EVERETT — Carolyn Eslick must change her political address from Sultan City Hall to the state Capitol.

That’s because Eslick, who is mayor of Sultan, was appointed Wednesday to fill a vacancy in the state House of Representatives created by the August resignation of Arlington Republican John Koster.

The decision surprised Eslick because she ranked lowest among the three Republican Party nominees for the opening in the 39th Legislative District, a sprawling legislative territory encompassing swaths of rural Snohomish Skagit and King counties.

“Really, it is a shock. I knew I was third,” she said. “I am truly excited. I can’t wait to get started.”

Former state lawmaker Elizabeth Scott, of Monroe, was the top choice after receiving the most votes of Republican Party precinct officers at a special meeting earlier this month. Georgene Faries, of Arlington, a veteran party activist, ranked second. Eslick edged out former Monroe Mayor Robert Zimmerman for the final spot in the course of four rounds of balloting.

Because the legislative district contains areas in three counties, the five Snohomish County councilmembers, three Skagit County commissioners and nine King County councilmembers gathered Wednesday to collectively make the appointment. The meeting took place in the Snohomish County Council chambers.

With no debate and almost no comments, 12 of the 17 elected officials supported Eslick. All five members of the Snohomish County Council supported her nomination, including its two Republicans, Sam Low, of Lake Stevens, and Nate Nehring, of Stanwood.

Both councilmen said Democrats comprised a majority of those involved in the decision and came in with an agenda. Neither saw any value in their casting a ballot against the eventual appointee.

“We understood the Democrats controlled the process,” Low said. “I determined ahead of time that whoever they chose I would go along with the vote because I did not want to vote against a person that I would have to work with.

“All three choices were great choices,” he continued. “We win no matter who was chosen.”

Nehring said it was clear whatever name put forward would likely win.

“I was going to vote in favor of the one that I would be working with,” he said. “If it was a Republican-controlled process, perhaps it would have turned out differently.”

Eslick was sworn into office shortly after the meeting and will serve through the 2018 election, essentially the remainder of Koster’s unfinished term.

She can keep serving as mayor if she wants under state law. But she acknowledged Wednesday she expects to resign before the Legislature reconvenes in January, though the timing is not decided.

One of her opponents in the 2018 election will be Scott, who served two terms in the Legislature before giving way to Koster.

“I am sure she’ll serve us well,” Scott said of Eslick following the decision.

But she said Wednesday’s Democrat-driven result does not reflect the view of the majority of residents of the 39th district.

“I’d rather hear the votes of 137,000 constituents so I’ll be running in 2018,” she said.

Eslick, who is in her 10th year as mayor, said she’s not concerned.

“I’ve always had opponents. It means that I work harder,” she said.

Faries, who was pursuing a political office for the first time, had a big smile covering up a slight bit of disappointment.

“I am so privileged and honored to be allowed to be part of this process,” she said.

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @dospueblos.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens schools bond leading early; Arlington voters reject latest levy attempt

A $314 million bond looks to pass while Arlington’s attempts to build a new Post Middle School again appear to take a step back.

The second floor of the Lynnwood Crisis Center on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Funding gap leaves Lynnwood without a crisis center provider

The idea for the Lynnwood crisis center began in 2021 after a 47-year-old died by suicide while in custody at Lynnwood Municipal Jail.

Three seriously injured after head-on collision on Highway 522

The crash between Monroe and Maltby happened around 4:30 p.m. on Monday.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Fernando Espinoza salts the sidewalk along Fifth Avenue South on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Think this is cold, Snohomish County? Wait until Tuesday

Tuesday could bring dangerous wind chill during the day and an overnight low of 19 degrees

The Washington State Department of Licensing office is seen in 2018 in Seattle. (Sue Misao / The Herald)
Drivers licensing offices to close Feb. 14-17

Online services are also not available Feb. 10-17. The Washington State Department of Licensing said the move is necessary to upgrade software.

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.