County Prosecutor Janice Ellis to step down

EVERETT — Snohomish County Prosecutor Janice Ellis announced today that she will be resigning next month to become the prosecutor for the Tulalip Tribes .

A letter from Ellis was waiting for staff members this morning. Ellis explained her decision to step down from the post before the end of her term in 2010. Her resignation is effective Nov. 30. Ellis has served as the county prosecutor since 2003.

“I’ve tried to work hard and honorably every day for the last 81 months for the people of Snohomish County and all of you,” Ellis wrote in the letter.

Ellis decided about two years ago that she didn’t want to run again for the position, she said. An elected official should be enthusiastic about running for office, Ellis said.

“I do not want to run another campaign,” she said.

The Tribes decided earlier this year to hire an in-house prosecutor to allow for more robust prosecution of crimes on the reservation, Ellis said.

Ellis said she’s excited by the challenge and feels she can continue to create good partnerships with state and federal agencies.

Ellis became the county’s prosecutor in 2003 after she beat out two-term Republican Jim Krider in his bid for re-election. Ellis had gained the support of law enforcement, victim advocates and deputy prosecutors. She campaigned for stronger leadership in the office and improving relationships between prosecutors and law enforcement. She ran unopposed in 2006.

Because Ellis is a Democrat, the county’s Democrats will submit three possible replacements to the County Council. The council will decide who will fill the remainder of Ellis’ term. The position, which pays $148,832, will be on the ballot in 2010.

The council may choose to select an interim prosecuting attorney from the current staff until it can complete its selection process.

Before being elected prosecutor, Ellis was a deputy prosecutor for five years, served as a state assistant attorney general for five years and was in private practice for five years.