EVERETT – The race for Snohomish County sheriff, a nonpartisan position, has suddenly become political.
As expected, state Rep. John Lovick, D-Mill Creek, last week threw his hat into the ring and announced he will make the race for sheriff a three-man battle.
Sheriff’s Lt. Rob Beidler and sheriff’s Chief Tom Greene have been campaigning for more than two years for the county’s top law enforcement job.
Both men said Lovick’s announcement Wednesday was not a surprise, and they’ve planned from the beginning that he would eventually enter the race.
“I think what’s interesting about this race now is the citizens of Snohomish County have three choices who are all very different,” Beidler said. “One is a skilled politician and one is an administrator and there’s me – an aggressive crime fighter. People will have to decide who they want to lead the sheriff’s office.”
All the candidates agree the addition of Lovick will make the race political.
“I was hoping it wouldn’t be political, but it looks like it will,” Lovick said. “People can’t forget I’m a Democrat, and I’ll obviously turn to those people.”
Democrats and Republicans already are openly jockeying for the best position in the race.
No one should be surprised if the two parties could end up backing opposing candidates, said Mark Hintz, chairman of the Snohomish County Democratic Party.
“You tell me which nonpartisan seat does not have a partisan bent,” he said. “There is no such thing as nonpartisan. People have beliefs. Everybody has a political bent.”
Lovick’s political stripes are clear, said Geri Modrell, Snohomish County’s GOP chairwoman.
“That should make it easier for Republicans to look very strongly at the other two candidates,” Modrell said.
The county Republican party hasn’t endorsed anyone for the race, and the group plans to discuss endorsements for nonpartisan candidates this month, Modrell said.
In the coming days, Democratic office-holders in the region who have not taken sides are expected to back Lovick. Insiders say he likely will have the party’s backing as well.
Though Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon had endorsed Beidler, he also is now backing Lovick.
Reardon called Beidler “the only true nonpartisan in the race,” but he added that party affiliation – or lack of the same – will not be the deciding factor.
He said voters will more likely contemplate whether they want to go with a local or a state perspective at the helm of the sheriff’s department.
Beidler, 40, is backed by the Snohomish County Deputy Sheriffs Association, as well as representatives from other police agencies, firefighters and union workers.
“I’m a cop’s cop,” Beidler said. “I’m somebody with extensive background fighting crime and leadership. That’s why you see so much support from law enforcement. You see the troops in Snohomish County behind me. People don’t follow resumes. People follow leaders.”
Greene, 56, said his opponents don’t have the administrative experience necessary to run the sheriff’s office. He is the department’s chief of administrative services.
“I’ve been preparing for this my entire career. I’m the only candidate with the experience and credentials,” Greene said. “I climbed the ranks to an executive-level command position.”
Greene said he’s the only candidate who has crafted and defended a budget before the County Council. He said he’s the only candidate to negotiate labor agreements, to hire and discipline employees.
“It’s what is required of a sheriff,” Greene said.
Lovick, 55, said the breadth of his community service makes him stand out from his opponents. Lovick, a retired Washington State Patrol trooper, was on the Mill Creek City Council.
“I’ve served in local government, as a law enforcement officer and a policymaker,” Lovick said. “I’ve served in every capacity.”
As of last week, Beidler had raised about $61,000 and Greene had drummed up about $26,000 in contributions. Lovick said last week that he hadn’t started raising money for the sheriff’s race.
The sheriff’s job will be vacant in 2008. Term limits prevent Sheriff Rick Bart from running again. Bart is a finalist for U.S. Marshal of Western Washington.
The primary election is set for Aug. 21. The top two candidates will advance to the general election Nov. 6.
Greene has served on a school board, but only Lovick has actually run successful campaigns for a high-profile public office.
In Olympia, Lovick helps lead fellow Democratic lawmakers, and he serves on the powerful Rules Committee, which decides what bills get voted on.
As House speaker pro tem, he is often the one with gavel in hand, guiding legislators through debates and votes.
The thought of Lovick leaving Olympia stirs bittersweet reaction among Democrats. They don’t want him to go, yet they know he’s long desired to be Snohomish County’s top cop.
Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish, Lovick’s seatmate in the 44th Legislative District, tried to change Lovick’s mind.
“It’ll be a loss for us,” Dunshee said. “I’d prefer he didn’t run. I’m not going to try to twist his arm too much.”
If Lovick becomes sheriff, the Snohomish County Council will decide who will fill out his unexpired legislative term. Councilmen would choose a replacement from a list of Democrats supplied by party leaders.
Sheriff Rick Bart said he always figured Lovick would run to replace him, and his advice was to compete from the outset as if Lovick were in the race.
Bart said he first heard Lovick talk of running in 1995. He said the lawmaker has quietly lined up support that will begin to show up through endorsements and donations.
“It’s not a slam dunk for John,” Dunshee said. “He’s known in the 44th and in your newspaper. The primary is going to be diffused.”
Writers Jerry Cornfield and Jeff Switzer contributed to this report.
Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.
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