Somers, Liias among Snohomish County leaders on Ferguson transition team

By Laurel Demkovich / Washington State Standard

State lawmakers from both parties, lobbyists, local elected officials, lawyers, tribes and unions all have a seat at Bob Ferguson’s table as he moves into the role of governor.

Ferguson on Tuesday announced a 53-person team that will help with the transition from Gov. Jay Inslee to the new administration. They’ll assist Ferguson as he works to implement his priorities in the first 100 days of his new administration and looks for ways for the government to better serve Washington’s residents, according to the governor-elect’s office.

“Transition is a critical time for our state,” Ferguson said in a statement. “I’m grateful to this team for dedicating their time and energy.”

Ferguson’s picks include mayors like Lisa Brown in Spokane, Carl Florea in Leavenworth and Victoria Woodards in Tacoma. There’s a host of current and former state lawmakers, including Democrats, Monica Stonier, House majority floor leader, and Andy Billig, former Senate majority leader, and Republican Rep. Tom Dent, of Moses Lake. From Snohomish County, state Sens. John Lovick and Marko Liias are on the team.

Former Democratic state Sen. Mark Mullet — Ferguson’s opponent in the governor’s race primary earlier this year — is also on board.

There’s representation from the business sector, like lobbyist Denny Eliason and Dave Mastin, vice president of government affairs at the Association of Washington Business. Labor groups also get space with April Sims, president of the Washington State Labor Council, and Sterling Harders, president of Service Employees International Union 775.

Ferguson also chose leaders from the Kalispel, Snoqualmie, Puyallup and Quinault tribes, statewide environmental groups, police advocacy groups and Planned Parenthood of Washington.

“We will focus on delivering practical, commonsense solutions to the challenges facing our state,” Ferguson said. “This team brings a wealth of knowledge and experience.”

Along with helping Ferguson implement his initial priorities, the team will get a chance to help vet people interested in serving in Ferguson’s cabinet and administration.

Inslee’s office estimated last year there would likely be a 70% turnover among staff once the three-term governor’s tenure was up. His administration has been preparing to transition for the last year by archiving records, determining staff buyout packages and meeting with both final gubernatorial candidates ahead of the November election.

Ferguson’s team will also identify “strategies to safeguard Washingtonians from the potential harms of another Trump administration and Project 2025,” according to a press release. Ferguson and incoming Attorney General Nick Brown have already been prepping their legal teams to challenge Trump-backed policies that might violate Washington laws.

The transition team plans to meet for the first time Nov. 22.

Ferguson’s transition team

• Jennifer Allen, CEO, Planned Parenthood of Washington

• Lourdes Alvarado-Ramos, former director, State Department of Veterans Affairs

• Jorge Baron, King County Council member

• Andy Billig, former state Senate majority leader

• Lisa Brown, Spokane mayor

• Mark Brown, former Department of Labor & Industries director and Lacey mayor

• Marty Brown, former Office of Financial Management director

• Nick Bumpous, president, UA Local 598

• Joan Crooks, former CEO, Washington Environmental Council/ WA Conservation Voters

• State Rep. Tom Dent, Legislative District 13

• Djibril Diop, legislative and political director, Washington Education Association

• Denny Eliason, business advocate

• Luke Esser, former state representative, Legislative District 48

• Hugh Ewart, president Aduna Healthcare

• Carl Florea, Leavenworth mayor

• Leo Fuller, attorney and member of the University of Washington Board of Regents

• Ollie Garrett, president TABOR 100

• Faye Guenther, president, UFCW 3000

• Sterling Harders, president SEIU 775

• Paul Harris, state senator-elect, Legislative District 17

• Toshiko Hasegawa, Port of Seattle commissioner

• Denny Heck, lieutenant governor

• Curt Holmes, vice chair, Kalispel Tribe

• Gerry Johnson, founder and partner, Pacifica Law Group

• Mary Kipp, president, Puget Sound Energy

• Dennis Lawson, president, Washington State Council of Fire Fighters

• Marko Liias, state senator, Legislative District 23

• Marty Loesch, former chief of staff to former governor Chris Gregoire

• John Lovick, state senator, Legislative District 44

• Alyssa Macy, CEO, Washington Conservation Action

• Mamie Marcuss, former chief of staff to Attorney General Bob Ferguson

• Jaime Martin, Snoqualmie Tribe

• Dave Mastin, former state representative, Legislative District 16

• Anne Mcenerny-Ogle, Vancouver mayor

• Sylvia Miller, vice chair, Puyallup Tribe of Indians

• Hamdi Mohamed, Port of Seattle commissioner

• Mark Mullet, former state senator, Legislative District 5

• Tim Probst, former state senator, Legislative District 49

• Paula Sardinas, small business owner and advocate

• Tana Senn, state representative, Legislative District 41

• Fawn Sharp, vice chair, Quinault Tribe

• April Sims, president, Washington State Labor Council

• Dave Somers, Snohomish County executive

• Steve Strachan, executive director, Washington Association of Sheriffs and of Police Chiefs

• Neil Strege, Washington Roundtable

• Monica Stonier, state representative, Legislative District 49

• Rachel Smith, CEO, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce

• Yasmin Trudeau, state senator, Legislative District 27

• Billy Wallace, Washington and North Idaho District Council of Laborers

• Victoria Woodards, Tacoma mayor

• Sam Virk, small business owner

• Sung Yang, former chief of staff to King County Executive Dow Constantine

• Christian Sinderman will serve as the transition coordinator.

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