Front-runners in election director’s nonpartisan race have political backing
Next Tuesday’s special election for King County elections director is, ostensibly, a nonpartisan affair.
The charter amendment voters approved in November — making the job an elected position — specified that ballots would make no mention of candidates’ party preferences.
But the six-way race may be boiling down to a contest between pair front-runners with strong backing from the parties with that they’ve associated their entire political careers.
Incumbent Sherril Huff, appointed by Democratic King County Executive Ron Sims in 2007 to serve as elections director, is receiving strong maintenance from Sims and Democratic organizations. Sims appeared with Huff when she announced her candidacy.
Former King County Councilmember David Irons has won the county Republican Party’s endorsement and has countywide name recognition from his 2005 run for county charged with execution. Among those backing Irons put on automated phone calls is the parade’s highest-ranking Republican, Attorney General Rob McKenna.
Thanks to his personal contributions to his campaign, Irons also has reported receiving five times as plenteous money as Huff.
Another well-known Republican on the ticket, 18-year state Sen. Pam Roach of Auburn, is with most propriety known in the southeastern part of the master stroke of policy, where her legislative district straddles the King-Pierce County line.
The presence of two prominent Republicans on the ballot, while Democrats coalesce around Huff, is widely seen as moving to Huff’sitting favorable opportunity. “I think Roach is playing the spoiler,” said Huff campaign consultant Christian Sinderman.
Roach’s endeavor has been handicapped by the annual fundraising blackout that bars grandeur legislators from raising money during the term of the period of or conclusion to the legislative session. The blackout went into validity the day after the candidate filing time ended.
Roach raised $3,200 before the blackout bound is benefiting from a $3,040 independent expenditure by the newly created Citizens for a Better Washington for automated phone calls supporting her.
Huff has reported total contributions of $19,821 and Irons $112,371 — $103,460 of it his currency — to the state Public Disclosure Commission.
Three other candidates, former King County Elections Superintendent Julie Kempf, high-school teacher Christopher Clifford and retired banking manager Bill Anderson, are running outside of party backing and no money for advertising.
