EVERETT — This year’s general election is still months away, but some local candidates for public office are already thinking ahead to 2019.
Facing term limits, Snohomish County Councilman Brian Sullivan has filed paperwork to campaign for another county job: treasurer.
“It just seemed like something I’d like to pursue,” Sullivan said. “I think I have a reputation of being a fair and honest player and an honest worker. This is an extension of my career goals.”
The current treasurer, Kirke Sievers, also must leave office as his third and final four-year term in the job will come to an end next year. Sievers has served continuously in county offices since 1975. He plans to retire.
Sullivan, 60, ran for county treasurer previously, in 1999, but lost to an incumbent. The former Mukilteo mayor went on to serve as a state lawmaker before winning his council seat in 2007. Now living in Everett, Sullivan was edged out of last year’s mayoral primary.
Interest has percolated in Sullivan’s somewhat-soon-to-be-open county seat — officially known as District 2 — representing Everett, Mukilteo and Tulalip.
“I clearly have a lot of friends who will be running for this position,” he said. “I wish them all luck.”
So far, the only potential Sullivan successor who has filed official paperwork with the state is Alex Lark. Lark, 31, ran for Everett City Council last year against incumbent Jeff Moore. Lark lost, but the progressive Army veteran ran a serious campaign that garnered 47 percent of the vote.
By last week, Lark had compiled more than $15,000 for his campaign.
“I decided to run for County Council because I believe that working families should have a home that they can afford and because we need to invest in our transit and transportation systems to support economic growth,” Lark said in a statement.
Politically, the council’s District 2 has a distinct Democrat tilt. Sullivan eked past another candidate who ran as a Democrat in 2015, but in two previous cycles he walloped Republican opponents with more than two-thirds of the vote. More than 150,000 people live in each of the five County Council districts.
As time goes on, expect Lark to attract competition. Another likely contender is Megan Dunn, an activist in Everett’s districting movement, who said she and others are considering running.
Before campaigning for public office or fundraising, candidates in Washington must file paperwork with the state Public Disclosure Commission. The official filing period for the 2019 general election isn’t until May.
Most of the county’s public offices are up for election next year. Also facing term limits and unable to seek reelection are Clerk Sonya Kraski and Auditor Carolyn Weikel.
County Executive Dave Somers has filed reelection paperwork with the state. So has Sheriff Ty Trenary.
County Councilwoman Stephanie Wright, of Lynnwood, is expected to seek a third term in District 3.
Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465; nhaglund@herald net.com. Twitter: @NWhaglund.
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