EVERETT — It’s shaping up to be a busy political season for the Snohomish County Council.
Three of the council’s five members are up for election this year. A fourth is campaigning to be mayor of Everett.
The council’s newest member, Nate Nehring, isn’t quite two months into his job, but he already has a challenge from a fellow Republican: Robert Sutherland, of Granite Falls.
Nehring, who lives in Stanwood, was appointed in January to represent the council’s District 1 after Ken Klein left to take a job in County Executive Dave Somers’ administration. The seat covers north Snohomish County, including Marysville, Arlington, Stanwood, Granite Falls and Darrington.
“I look forward to the opportunity to continue my work on the County Council focusing on constituent needs and advocating for fiscal responsibility, property rights, economic development, public safety and traffic-congestion relief,” Nehring said last week.
At 21, he is the youngest person ever to serve on the council. Before assuming office, he was in his first year as a contract science teacher at Cedarcrest Middle School in Marysville. He is the son of Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring.
Sutherland, 57, is a retired biochemist and U.S. Air Force veteran who has run unsuccessfully for Congress and county executive. He recently announced his candidacy in a press release.
“By being productive members of society, joblessness and the county budget will decrease as tax revenues increase,” Sutherland said. “As crime decreases so will the budget, freeing up additional money for other top priorities. All this, and more, can and should be done at the county level.”
Two other people have filed fundraising paperwork with the state Public Disclosure Commission to run for the council seat that Nehring holds, but one said he decided to withdraw and the other said he’s likely to withdraw.
Councilman Terry Ryan earlier this month launched his campaign for a second term in office. Sam Low, a Republican who beat Democrat Hans Dunshee last fall for a special one-year term in office, is running for a full four-year term.
Ryan is a Democrat who has taken fiscally conservative positions. He was first elected in 2013 to represent District 4, which includes Brier, Mill Creek and Mountlake Terrace, as well as parts of Bothell and Lynnwood. He previously served several terms on the Mill Creek City Council.
Low served on the Lake Stevens City Council before winning the county job last year.
No one had filed to run against Low or Ryan as of Friday.
Council Chairman Brian Sullivan is one of three candidates vying to replace Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson, who plans to retire at the end of the year. Everett Councilwomen Judy Tuohy and Cassie Franklin also entered the race for mayor.
To run for office, candidates must file paperwork with the county auditor between May 15 to 19.
Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465; nhaglund@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @NWhaglund.
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