Three vie for Lovick’s position

Three recognized Demo-crat activists are already vying to succeed state Rep. John Lovick should he win this year’s race for county sheriff.

Former Snohomish Mayor Liz Loomis, Snohomish County Democratic Party Chairman Mark Hintz and 2006 state senate candidate Lillian Kaufer are gathering support for an appointment to the seat if it opens up.

Loomis is setting the pace. She went out and garnered endorsements from the Northwest Building Trades Council and the Snohomish County Labor Council.

“I believe in being prepared,” she explained.

On May 23, the Snohomish County labor organization voted to back her. In the same meeting, members voiced their desire to also consider endorsements for Kaufer and Hintz.

Mike Sells, secretary-treasurer of the labor council and a state representative, said the group could back all three.

Political jockeying of this magnitude is pretty early and, a few quietly suggest, might be a bit presumptuous.

Monday is the first day Lovick, sheriff’s chief Tom Greene and sheriff’s Lt. Rob Beidler – the announced candidates so far -can file to run. The victor won’t be decided until November.

Under state law, if Lovick wins and resigns his 44th Legislative District seat, the Snohomish County Council will choose a temporary successor from among three names given it by the district’s Democrats. That person would serve in 2007 and stand for election in 2008.

Precinct committee officers, better known as PCOs, vote on which three names to recommend. In the 44th District, there are about 215 precincts with officers serving in about 80 of them as of last week.

As chairman, Hintz fills vacancies. He’s appointed 31 new PCOs since January. A further swelling of the ranks is expected as he, Loomis and Kaufer recruit their supporters to sign up and become eligible to vote later.

All this effort, Hintz said, “has no value until John wins.”

Walser considers politics

Sultan Police Chief Fred Walser will retire from law enforcement in August and may start a new career in politics soon after.

Walser is contemplating a run for state representative or senator in 2008.

This week, he said he’s talking to people to see whether or not he’d be a good candidate.

He’d run as a Democrat. That’s a cause for celebration among party insiders because Walser lives in the 39th Legislative District, where all three legislative seats are held by Republicans.

But Walser is friends with Reps. Kirk Pearson and Dan Kristiansen and Sen. Val Stevens, making it a difficult personal decision to challenge any of them.

Of course, if Walser steers clear of seeking office, he may work to influence those who are in power. He’d focus on what’s become his primary issue – making U.S. 2 safer for drivers.

“There’s not enough action on it in Olympia.”

Reporter Jerry Cornfield’s column on politics runs every Sunday. He can be heard at 8 a.m. Monday on the Morning Show on KSER 90.7 FM. He can be reached at 360-352-8623 or 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

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.

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.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

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.

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.

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen talks with Volunteers of America leadership to discuss the consequences of the federal cuts on Monday, June 30, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Federal cuts to LGBTQ+ youth hotline to hit Everett center

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Everett, visited the call center Monday to discuss impacts of the cuts, including longer wait times and staff layoffs.

U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene, right, goes over a Chinook Marsh Project map with Snohomish County Surface Water Management’s Michael Rustay, left, and Erik Stockdale, center, at the project site on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County receives $10 million grant for floodplain management

The state Department of Ecology funding will go toward 13 projects across the county working to restore habitat and support climate resiliency.

The Washington state Capitol. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
These Washington laws take effect July 1

Fee hikes for hunting and fishing licenses, workplace protections for immigrants and… Continue reading

Everett
Everett could levy fines for non-emergency lift assists at care facilities

The ordinance intends to discourage licensed care facilities from calling 911 to perform lift assists in a non-emergency situation.

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.