Longtime King County Executive Dow Constantine is calling it quits after four terms, creating a rare opening in the wait-your-turn culture of Washington politics.
The contest to succeed him is well underway, likely to confront voters with three very different resumes. The post is officially nonpartisan but all three prospective candidates are active Democrats.
King County Assessor John Arthur Wilson announced his candidacy Monday morning. King County Council member Claudia Balducci is already in the race. Fellow councilmember Girmay Zahilay is seriously considering a run.
John Arthur Wilson, nicknamed “Jaws,” has been around. He has worked as a reporter at the Seattle Times, Seattle Weekly, and KING-TV. He has operated behind the scenes as a congressional staffer and chief of staff at Ron Sims’ county executive office. Wilson has consulted with the Gallatin Group. He has been assessor for a decade.