Several weeks ago we noted that Rep. John Lovick (D-Mill Creek) was planning a run for Snohomish County Sheriff this November. Lovick is a retired Washington State Patrol officer and a familiar face to TVW watchers as he serves as President Pro Tempore of the House of Representatives and is therefore, often the chamber’s presiding officer.
As Everett Herald columnist Jerry Cornfield writes in Sunday’s edition, the jockeying for Lovick’s seat has already begun. Three Democratic activists are working hard to gather support for an appointment should Lovick win the county sheriff’s race this fall. The three are former Snohomish Mayor Liz Loomis, Snohomish County Democratic Party Chairman Mark Hintz and 2006 state senate candidate Lillian Kaufer who lost in the primary last September to Steve Hobbs who went on defeat incumbant Sen. Dave Schmidt in November.
Under state law, if Lovick wins, the Snohomish County Council will choose a successor from among three names given to them by the district’s Democrats. The person would then need to stand for election in November 2008.