Democrats Dave Somers and Steve Hobbs each want a shot at unseating Republican Snohomish County Councilman Jeff Sax this fall. On Saturday, one will get the chance.
Similarly, Democrats Marian Harrison and Suzanne Smith are competing to carry the party banner against Republican County Councilman John Koster. One will be selected Saturday as well.
The decisions will be made when an elite corps of county Democrats gathers in Snohomish to pick the party’s official candidates for this year’s races in the County Council’s 1st, 4th and 5th districts.
The convention begins at 10 a.m. The results of the secret balloting will be made public at noon.
This inaugural Snohomish County Democratic nominating convention is a direct response to the Top Two primary election system that will be used in September. Under that system, voters can choose any candidate on the ballot regardless of party affiliation, and the top two vote-getters go on to the general election.
The state’s Democratic and Republican parties argue that the system infringes on their rights to nominate candidates for the general election.
Democrats hope Saturday’s convention will keep that control in their hands by allowing only elected and appointed precinct committee officers to endorse nominees.
Mark Hintz, chairman of the county Democratic Party, said the candidates have agreed not to mount independent campaigns if they are not selected on Saturday.
Much of the excitement will revolve around the 5th District, where 94 precinct committee officers will decide between Somers, a former county councilman, or Hobbs, an Army veteran, to challenge Sax.
Somers, a 52-year-old biologist from Monroe, held the seat from 1997 to 2001, when he was beaten by Sax. Somers said he “didn’t campaign hard enough” in the district, which includes Snohomish, Monroe, Sultan and Gold Bar. He pledged to not repeat that error if given the chance for a rematch.
He has raised $40,000 and gathered endorsements from party heavyweights including state Reps. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish; John Lovick, D-Mill Creek; John McCoy, D-Tulalip; and Mark Ericks, D-Bothell.
Hobbs, 35, of Lake Stevens is a facilities manager at the University of Washington. He served in the Army in Iraq and completed active duty this year. He ran for the state House in 1994 but lost to Val Stevens, who is now a state senator.
He began campaigning in May and has raised $15,000 in cash and pledges. His key endorsements include Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon, Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson and Snohomish Mayor Liz Loomis.
Somers and Hobbs each said they have focused this week on convincing the precinct committee officers of their abilities to mount a campaign capable of unseating the incumbent.
“The ultimate goal is to get rid of Jeff Sax,” Hobbs said.
It will be much quieter in the 1st District, where 38 precinct committee officers will select either Harrison or Smith to run against Koster. The district includes Marysville, Arlington, Stanwood and Darrington.
Harrison, of Arlington, who is in her 70s, is chairwoman of the 38th Legislative District Democrats and one of the county’s most recognized Democratic activists. A former teacher’s aide and custodian for the Arlington School District, she said she helped search for someone to run, but when no one surfaced, she agreed to be a candidate. This is her first bid for public office.
Smith, 42, of Marysville is a landscape designer and gardener. She served on the Marysville City Council from January 2000 to December 2003. She has not been active in party politics – a point Harrison emphasizes when lobbying the voting delegates. But Smith said her previous campaign experience makes her a more viable challenger to Koster.
Democrat Councilman Dave Gossett of Mountlake Terrace is seeking re-election to a second term in the 4th District, which includes Mill Creek, Brier, Mountlake Terrace and part of Bothell. He is expected to be chosen by acclimation by the 56 precinct committee officers because no Democrat is opposing him.
The Snohomish County Republican Party will hold its nominating convention June 18 at Calvary Chapel in Lake Stevens.
As of Thursday, no Republican had begun a campaign against Gossett. Koster and Sax face no challenge from within their own party.
Greg Stevens of Maltby has told Republican party leaders he wants to challenge Sax as the party’s candidate, but the idea isn’t being entertained by party leaders because Stevens hasn’t passed muster, a Republican official said.
“He’s expressed a desire to challenge (Sax), but he hasn’t passed our vetting yet,” said Steve Neighbors, chairman of the county Republican Party. “He needs to convince us he’s Republican before we let him speak at the convention.”
Reporter Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
Democratic convention
The Snohomish County Democratic nominating convention will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday in the Snohomish School District administration building, 1601 Ave. D, Snohomish. Elected and appointed precinct committee officers in the County Council’s 1st, 4th and 5th districts will choose candidates for the fall elections. Final vote results will be released at the end of the convention.
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