Six seeking appointment to Koster’s House seat in Olympia

ARLINGTON — A mayor, a former mayor and a professional harpist want to fill Republican state Rep. John Koster’s seat when he leaves at the end of the month.

So, too, do a city councilman, a party activist and the woman who served as 39th Legislative District representative before Koster.

Koster, 65, of Arlington, is resigning to become executive director of the County Roads Administration Board, a small state agency responsible for distributing gas tax dollars for road projects in Washington’s 39 counties. His last day is Aug. 31.

Since he announced his plans in late July, three men and three women have said they will seek appointment to the seat.

They are Sultan Mayor Carolyn Eslick, Granite Falls City Councilman Tom FitzGerald, former state Rep. Elizabeth Scott, former Monroe Mayor Robert Zimmerman, Evergreen Republican Women’s President Georgene Faries and professional musician Bronn Journey.

The first step of the appointment process will occur the evening of Sept. 6 at Hadley Hall in Arlington. That’s when Republican precinct committee officers (PCOs) in the legislative district will meet and nominate three people for the position.

Because the 39th Legislative District encompasses portions of Snohomish, Skagit and King counties, the council members and commissioners in all three will collectively choose one of the nominees. The appointed person will serve through the November 2018 election.

Party officials said there are 40 PCOs eligible to vote — 11 from Skagit County and 29 from Snohomish County. King County, with only a sliver in the district, has no precinct officers.

Eslick was elected mayor of Sultan in 2007 and is in her third term. Prior to being mayor, she served six years on the City Council.

She is the founder and executive director of GROW Washington, a nonprofit business development center. In 2014, she made an unsuccessful run for Snohomish County executive. At that time, she won support from the precinct committee officers.

“I know the district and I know the area. I will work on the issues that will help develop the community and empower families,” she said.

Scott, of Monroe, is looking to re-enter politics following an extended break to deal with health issues.

She was first elected to the Legislature in 2012 and won re-election in 2014. In 2016, she decided to run for Congress rather than seek a third state term.

But she contracted whooping cough in the spring and ended her congressional campaign in May 2016 due to unspecified health reasons.

Last month, she posted on Facebook of her improved health. On July 24, she issued a press release announcing her intention to seek the appointment. Scott did not return phone calls for this story.

Zimmerman, a former Monroe mayor, also is looking to return to the political arena.

He served on the Monroe City Council for two terms before getting elected mayor in 2009. He chose not to seek re-election. In 2012, he ran for a House seat in the 39th Legislative District but finished third in the primary behind Scott and Democrat Eleanor Walters.

Zimmerman said his service in local government plus experience as a distribution manager for a small business provides him a solid resume for the job.

“I am not looking to turn Olympia on its ear,” he said. “I am putting my name in the hat because I think I can be an influence in Olympia.”

Journey, of Sultan, said he has never served in elected office. He also said he knows and likes many of the others seeking the appointment.

“The more good quality people in there, the better to choose from,” he said. “We see what’s happening in Washington, D.C., right now and it’s not working.”

He said he and his wife are co-owners of Andy’s Fish House restaurant in Snohomish but his first love — and the talent for which he’s best known — is playing the harp. His wife is a singer. The couple has played all over the country, he said.

“If you are in the right circle, I’m famous,” he said.

Faries, of Arlington, is a precinct committee officer, is in her fourth year as president of the Evergreen Republican Women and is the vice chairwoman of the 39th Legislative District Republicans.

This is the first time she said she’s sought a political office.

“I have been thinking about it for a couple years,” she said in an interview. “It is the right time.”

She elaborated in a Facebook post, writing that she has “worked hard to build and support our conservative movement in Snohomish County” and if appointed would “fight for the rights of citizens who are often ignored in our state’s current climate.”

FitzGerald has served on the Granite Falls City Council since 2003. He is seeking re-election to that position this fall. State law would permit him to hold both elected offices if he chose to do so.

It is unclear if that’s his desire as he did not respond to phone messages and emails for this story.

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @dospueblos.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

South County Fire plans push-in ceremony for newest fire engine

Anybody who attends will have the opportunity to help push the engine into the station.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Britney Barber, owner of Everett Improv. Barber performs a shows based on cuttings from The Everett Herald. Photographed in Everett, Washington on May 16, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
August 9 will be the last comedy show at Everett Improv

Everett improv club closing after six years in business.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Snohomish County will host climate resiliency open house on July 30

Community members are encouraged to provide input for the county’s developing Communitywide Climate Resiliency Plan.

Monroe Mayor Geoffrey Thomas talks to the crowd about the new "Imagine Monroe" city flag and symbol before the ribbon cutting on Monday, July 14, 2025 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Monroe unveils its new $17M City Hall and municipal court

Mayor Geoffrey Thomas showcased the new campus to residents, local and state officials during a celebration Monday.

National Weather Service issues red flag warning for slopes of Cascades

High temperatures, low humidity and winds are combining for critical fire weather conditions, either “imminent or occurring now.”

Photo courtesy of Graphite Arts Center
Amelia DiGiano’s photography is part of the “Seeing Our Planet” exhibit, which opens Friday and runs through Aug. 9 at the Graphite Arts Center in Edmonds.
A&E Calendar for July 10

Send calendar submissions for print and online to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.