Political intrigue is breaking out in the King County Courthouse, as County Executive Dow Constantine announces he is stepping down next year and County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove leaves to become Commissioner of Public Lands.
County politics has been pretty sleepy in recent years, with Constantine in his fourth term and only slow turnover at the nine-member council.
Constantine’s decision not to seek a fifth term was widely anticipated, after 15 years managing a government with 19,000 employees. The big questions were when he would announce, and what career options he will pursue once he leaves office. We know the when, but his next steps are not clear.
“The work is constantly challenging and often daunting, but it is also extraordinarily rewarding to be able to help others. It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve in this role, but it’s time to let a new leader take the reins and build on the work we have done, and so I will not be seeking re-election,’’ he said in a statement.
Constantine has overseen the county’s major expansion into a broad range of human services. He cites the Best Starts for Kids, a health, safety and education program for young people, protection of wilderness and open space in East King County; climate protection initiatives, and efforts to combat the COVID pandemic.
He has been a steadfast supporter of Sound Transit, which has experienced many painful years of cost overruns and delays as it expands from the Seattle core. He also was a vocal backer of the expansion of the Washington State Trade and Convention Center. Despite opposition from many progressives, he pushed through construction of a new youth court and incarceration center. He helped create the regional homelessness agency, which has struggled with management and funding challenges.
The West Seattle native has been in elected office since winning a state House seat in 1996, and later the state Senate. He was appointed to the County Council in 2002, succeeding Greg Nickels, and he served on the council for 9 years before running for County Executive.
Constantine has said little about his plans, other than that he will remain involved and engaged in public policy.
One option he may pursue is the University of Washington presidency. Anna Marie Cauci, UW’s president since 2015, will also step down in 2025. Constantine, a UW alum and avid sports fan, has approached people associated with the UW seeking support in a bid for the post. The Board of Regents, all appointed by the governor, will make the choice.
He could bring considerable political experience and influence with the Legislature and major donors, one of the most important responsibilities for modern university leaders. A few major schools have brought in political and business leaders as presidents, although not always successfully.
An outstanding question is whether he can overcome objections from the powerful Faculty Senate. Insiders believe the faculty will demand a candidate with a strong academic background.
Another post frequently mentioned for him is executive director of Sound Transit . This step would make sense given his leadership of the county’s Metro Transit, as well as his chairmanship of the three-country Sound Transit system. Goran Sparrman, a former Seattle transportation chief, is the interim director.
The most critical qualifications for the job are juggling the competing interests of 18 ST Board members, managing several hugely controversial and expensive extensions of the system’s light-rail system, and ensuring a steady flow of federal money.
Though a spokesman, Constantine declined to comment. “Looking ahead, the Executive will remain focused on advancing the county’s work in transit and transportation, climate action, behavioral health, affordable housing, and arts and culture—all aimed at building a welcoming place where everyone can thrive. He looks forward to sharing future plans in due course.”
Three candidates, at least, are maneuvering to replace him:
County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay, an attorney and community activist who unseated fellow Democratic Councilmember Larry Gossett in 2019. He focuses on affordable housing and homelessness, public safety, and economic development.
County Councilmember Claudia Balducci, formerly a Bellevue City Council member and director of the King County Jail system elected to the County Council in 2015. She pushed for the early launch of a Bellevue-to-Redmond light rail connection, was an early advocate for the Regional Homelessness Authority, and is a supporter of the arts.
County Assessor John Arthur Wilson, first elected in 2019 after defeating his old boss, Lloyd Hara. Wilson is a former journalist, top aide to former Executive Ron Sims, and public affairs consultant who promoted more transparency and brought technology innovations to the assessor’s office.
Of the six county executives elected since the first, John Spellman, in 1969, two came up from the County Council: Ron Sims, who served two terms from 1997 to 2009, and Constantine. Every elected County Executive has been a Seattle resident, a potential challenge for Bellevue resident Balducci.
Dave Upthegrove will take over as Commissioner of Public Lands in January, leaving his south King County seat on the County Council after 10 years. He previously served five terms in the state Legislature.
Under state law, Constantine will nominate three candidates to the County Council for their consideration. The County Council is nominally non-partisan, although Democrats hold seven of the nine seats. Constantine is likely to send up like-minded liberal candidates to the council.
The two announced candidates for the appointment fit that bill. They are:
Hamdi Mohamed, currently a Seattle Port Commissioner who also heads Seattle’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs. As a commissioner she has focused her energies on improving conditions for workers in port industries and adjacent communities. The SeaTac-area resident is the first Black and Somali member of the Port Commission.
Ed Prince, a three-term Renton City Council member and Executive Director of the state Commission on African American Affairs. He is active on several regional organizations, including the Sound Transit board, Association of Washington Cities, the Regional Homelessness agency, and the Growth Management Policy Board.
After Constatine sends over the three names, the council has 60 days to name a winner. The appointee will run for election next fall to a three-year term, as the county shifts to even-year elections.
As big as it is, with a $2.5 billion biennial budget, county government does not command the same attention and influence as does the City of Seattle. Public safety consumes a majority of the county’s budget, including the county courts, prosecutor, adult and juvenile jails, and sheriff. Transportation and sewage treatment are other major components. The county has fewer revenue options than the city, with property and sales taxes as the major sources of income.
On the political spectrum, all the likely executive and council candidates are moderate to progressive Democrats who would bring much the same values and perspectives to their jobs. Do not expect any big swings in county government regardless of who wins the seats.
