Snohomish County Councilman Dave Somers may have some explaining to do to constituents.
Why?
Because he’s started cranking up his campaign for re-election, even asking folks for money, at the same time he’s trying to secure a job with the Obama administration.
He’s entered the sweepstakes for an appointment as the regional administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, a position responsible for managing EPA programs in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska.
Other hopefuls include state Sen. Phil Rockefeller, D-Bainbridge Island, and former Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg
Everett City Councilman Paul Roberts is supposedly vying, too.
Roberts is not commenting one way or the other. If true then he, like Somers, is pursuing this new gig while campaigning for re-election.
Maybe he’ll have some explaining to do, too.
No date for a decision has been set. U.S. Sen. Patty Murray is collecting materials and reportedly will confer with members in the state’s congressional delegation then forward names of at least three people to EPA chief Lisa Jackson.
Somers applied about a month ago. He said he was asked to do so though he wouldn’t say who did the asking. (It wasn’t his wife who works for the EPA as a reviewer of environmental documents for proposed projects.)
“It would be a great opportunity,” he said. “But it is a crowded field. I consider myself a real long shot.”
Maybe not that long of a shot. He’s got experience in environmental and land use issues, solid ties to American Indian leaders and a pretty good reference — former EPA Administrator William Ruckelshaus.
After sending his stuff in, he started sending out letters seeking contributions for his council campaign. Donors may want to talk to him now.
“I have some misgiving about (applying) because I am very proud of being a public official,” he said, reiterating he doesn’t really think he has much chance.
Others do, and Somers’ selection — should it occur — will touch off an intriguing scramble in both political parties.
From inside the Democrats’ scrum will come a successor. Election rules direct the County Council to choose from a list of three people provided by the Snohomish County Democratic Party.
Rep. Hans Dunshee said he’d want one of those spots. It’s better pay, a shorter drive to his Snohomish home and the major issue facing the council is one with which he’s familiar, land use.
State Sen. Steve Hobbs might vie for it, too. He ran for County Council in 2005 and lost to Somers in the primary.
Fred Walser might be interested; he’s run for state office and expressed interest in serving somewhere. Don’t expect former state Rep. Liz Loomis to enter the picture.
For Republican leaders, the question will be whether Steve Dana is the Grand Old Party’s best option to capture the seat.
Dana, a former Snohomish mayor, announced his candidacy a month ago. He’s not raised much money or stirred up much fervor among the party faithful.
Freshman Rep. Mike Hope could excite Republicans and would get encouraged to run. It’s no political risk to him because if he ran and lost, he’d still return to the Legislature.
Names such as Mill Creek Councilman Mark Bond and former Monroe Councilman Chad Minnick get tossed around.
Jeff Sax once held the seat, but the former county councilman is not interested at this time in trying to get it back. But minds can change.
Somers isn’t considering succession scenarios or contemplating what life might be like in the EPA.
He can count on questions on both should he get the call.
Political reporter Jerry Cornfield’s blog, The Petri Dish, is at www.heraldnet.com. He can be heard at 8:15 a.m. Mondays on “The Morning Show” on KSER (90.7 FM). Contact him at 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
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