Snohomish County Council can’t decide on a state House appointment

EVERETT — The Democrat-controlled Snohomish County Council balked Monday at appointing a Republican to an open state House seat.

Instead of choosing a replacement, the council voted 5-0 to let Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee fill the vacancy in the 44th Legislative District created by the July resignation of Republican Rep. Mike Hope.

Council members acted swiftly and without explanation after spending 25 minutes behind closed doors discussing three nominees submitted by the Republican Party. They did not vote on the candidates in open session.

“We’ve had a rousing discussion,” said Councilman Brian Sullivan, before making a motion to punt the decision to the governor.

State election officials said it’s the first time in recent history a governor will fill a legislative seat at the request of a County Council.

The council action didn’t sit well with the political director of the House Republican Caucus.

“Any of the three nominees would have done an admirable job during an appointment. But the Democrat council members refused to do their statutory duty because they are playing politics,” Kevin Carns wrote in an email.

Republican precinct officers nominated Mill Creek City Councilman Mark Harmsworth, Lake Stevens City Councilman Sam Low and retired Navy captain Doug Roulstone for the open seat.

On Monday, the County Council of four Democrats and one Republican interviewed each candidate in open session, then went into executive session.

Harmsworth was the top choice of the precinct officers, and Low and Roulstone both urged the council to appoint him.

But Harmsworth is also a candidate for the seat and bested Democrat Mike Wilson in the August primary, which might have been a factor in the County Council’s reticence Monday.

Council Chairman Dave Somers, a Democrat, declined to say why the council could not muster majority support for any of the candidates.

“There was clearly no consensus,” he said, adding that the council was in an “awkward position” with the seat becoming available in the midst of an election.

Republican Councilman Ken Klein said he fought for Harmsworth.

“I couldn’t get three votes,” he said. “I was surprised only because Mark was the most ready and he’d been working on these issues. As to the motivation for why, I can’t speak to that.”

Harmsworth, who seemed disappointed by the council’s decision, responded diplomatically to the experience.

“Politics is politics. I don’t want to assume what they were deliberating behind closed doors,” he said. “I was ready to serve. We’ll see what the governor does. The real thing is the election in the fall, and we’ll see what happens then.”

Inslee will have 30 days to make an appointment after he receives the County Council’s request.

The governor must choose from the nominees submitted to the council. Whoever is appointed will represent the district until results of the Nov. 4 election are certified, at which point the winner will be sworn into office for a full House term.

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

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Police Cmdr. Scott King answers questions about the Flock Safety license plate camera system on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mountlake Terrace approves Flock camera system after public pushback

The council approved the $54,000 license plate camera system agreement by a vote of 5-2.

Cascadia College Earth and Environmental Sciences Professor Midori Sakura looks in the surrounding trees for wildlife at the North Creek Wetlands on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cascadia College ecology students teach about the importance of wetlands

To wrap up the term, students took family and friends on a guided tour of the North Creek wetlands.

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.

Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen goes through an informational slideshow about the current budget situation in Edmonds during a roundtable event at the Edmonds Waterfront Center on Monday, April 7, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds mayor recommends $19M levy lid lift for November

The city’s biennial budget assumed a $6 million levy lid lift. The final levy amount is up to the City Council.

A firefighting helicopter carries a bucket of water from a nearby river to the Bolt Creek Fire on Saturday, Sep. 10, 2022, on U.S. 2 near Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Snohomish County property owners can prepare for wildfire season

Clean your roofs, gutters and flammable material while completing a 5-foot-buffer around your house.

(City of Everett)
Everett’s possible new stadium has a possible price tag

City staff said a stadium could be built for $82 million, lower than previous estimates. Bonds and private investment would pay for most of it.

Jennifer Humelo, right, hugs Art Cass outside of Full Life Care Snohomish County on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘I’ll lose everything’: Snohomish County’s only adult day health center to close

Full Life Care in Everett, which supports adults with disabilities, will shut its doors July 19 due to state funding challenges.

Stolen car crashes into Everett Mexican restaurant

Contrary to social media rumors, unmarked police units had nothing to do with a raid by ICE agents.

Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. (Olivia Vanni/The Herald)
Providence Everett issues layoff notices to over 100 nursing assistants

The layoffs are part of a larger restructuring by Providence, affecting 600 positions across seven states, Providence announced Thursday.

Junelle Lewis, right, daughter Tamara Grigsby and son Jayden Hill sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” during Monroe’s Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 18, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Where to celebrate Juneteenth in Snohomish County this year

Celebrations last from Saturday to Thursday, and span Lynnwood, Edmonds, Monroe and Mountlake Terrace.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Lake Stevens in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Judge rules in favor of sewer district in Lake Stevens dispute

The city cannot assume the district earlier than agreed to in 2005, a Snohomish County Superior Court judge ruled Tuesday.

Herald staff photo by Michael O'Leary 070807
DREAMLINER - The first Boeing 787 is swarmed by the crowd attending the roll out of the plane in on July 8, 2007 at the Boeing assembly facility in Everett.
Plane in Air India crash tragedy was built in Everett

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner in the crash that killed more than 200 people was shipped from Everett to Air India in 2014.

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.