For the first time in 15 years, there is a new King County executive, albeit on an acting basis.
Shannon Braddock assumed the reins after Dow Constantine decamped to be CEO for Sound Transit. The Metropolitan King County Council will next name an appointed executive to finish out the term.
Braddock, who is now deputy executive, is a superb choice to lead the county for the next few months, until the November election. The Metropolitan King County Council must not be tempted to name someone else in the interim. Specifically, the council ought not to place one of the current candidates for King County executive in temporary leadership.
The council could put forward a motion to appoint Braddock, who said she is not running for the permanent job, until the election is certified or they could consider other candidates.
King County Councilmembers Girmay Zahilay and Claudia Balducci are vying for the top post. So is King County Assessor John Wilson.
Any one of them would derive the unfair benefit of incumbency if named by a council majority as appointed executive.
Braddock has vowed to serve only in a caretaker capacity. It is best to leave the job in her capable hands until voters have the final say. Balducci introduced a motion on Thursday to appoint Braddock through November. The legislation could be considered as soon as the April 15 council meeting.
Serving as Constantine’s deputy for the last few years, Braddock has long experience in local politics.
Braddock worked for King County for the last 15 years, starting in the office of then-Councilmember Joe McDermott and moving to the King County executive’s office in 2017. She worked as deputy chief of staff, chief of staff and ultimately deputy county executive.
In 2015, she lost a Seattle City Council seat by 39 votes, out of more than 25,000 cast. Three years later, she lost a state Senate race in her West Seattle district.
Braddock told The Times that she sees her role as ensuring day-to-day government functions, with two big additional responsibilities — proposing a “responsible budget” and preparing for the transition to a new elected executive. Not to mention dealing with continuing uncertainty from the federal government.
King County is lucky to have her.
Let Braddock lead the government for a short time while candidates for executive debate the course for the next four years. There is much to discuss. The appointment of an interim executive must not be a distraction from the issues to be thoroughly vetted by voters in the next seven months.
