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Politics & Government

Smith on Politics: Ferguson and Opponents Raise Money for Attorney General Race

Ferguson has support of 500 attorneys and many local Shoreline-LFP current and former politicians

How the County would replace Ferguson

King County Councilman Bob Ferguson, who represents Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, north Seattle and nearby areas of the 1st King County Council District, has raised $511,556 as a Democratic candidate for attorney general, and he has spent $153,776, but he trails Republican Reagan Dunn on both counts.  

Dunn has reported raising $556,833 and spending $215,768. Dunn also is a King County councilman, representing a district east of Lake Washington.  

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Ferguson noted Wednesday that, because he has spent less than Dunn, he has more cash on hand.

Democrat John Ladenburg, a former Pierce County executive and Pierce County prosecuting attorney, had raised and spent $57,220 before announcing that he would run instead for a position on the State Supreme Court.

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Ferguson said Monday that he has contributions from more than 500 attorneys compared to fewer than 70 for other candidates. Public Disclosure reports confirm that.Local donors to the Ferguson campaign include 32nd District State Rep. Ruth Kagi, 46th District Sen. David Frockt, former Lake Forest Park Mayor Dave Hutchinson former Lake Forest Park Councilman and Deputy Mayor Dwight Thompson, current Lake Forest Park Council members Catherine Stanford, and Don Fiene, former Lake Forest Park Councilman Ed Sterner, former Shoreline Councilman and current Ronald Wastewater Commissioner Bob Ransom, current Shoreline City Council members Chris Eggen Jesse Salomon and Shari Winstead, and former Shoreline School Board member Judy Parsons. Ferguson, Dunn, and Republican attorney Steven Pidgeon of Everett have registered their intent to seek the position with the State Public Disclosure Commission, a step that allows them to raise and spend money for the August primary and November general election. Pidgeon has reported no money raised of spent.

Candidates file for ballot positions May 14-18.

Ferguson also said that he is proud to have the endorsement of the state patrol troopers association. He noted that the troopers endorsed Republican incumbent Rob McKenna in both 2004 and 2008. McKenna is giving up the position to run for governor.Ferguson said Wednesday that he has already campaigned in at least 30 of Washington’s 39 counties.

How the County would replace Ferguson or Dunn

Election of either Ferguson or Dunn as attorney general would create a vacancy on the County Council, which the Council would then need to fill.

If the Council follows recent patterns, it would appoint a caretaker Council member, someone who would take the position with the understanding that he or she would hold the position until the next election, and not be a candidate for a full term.

That’s what happened three times in 2009-10. The first in early 2009, when former County Executive Ron Sims resigned to take a position in the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. It happened later that year when former Assessor Scott Noble resigned following his conviction in a drunk driving incident. Then, it happened when the Council appointed a successor to Dow Constantine on the County Council after Constantine was elected County executive.

So, if Ferguson wins election as attorney general, expect the Council to replace him with a caretaker. It would fill the position with an elder statesman or stateswoman as it did when it appointed former Seattle City Councilwoman Jan Drago to fill Constantine’s Council seat for 11 months before the 2010 election.

It’s a way to avoid 4-4 divisions on a Council that is one member short.

It was different when Council positions were partisan offices. Precinct committee officers from the party of the former Council member in the District would send their first, second and third choices to the Council, which would pick someone from that list.

 

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