— from San Juan Council —
Tuesday, February 5, 2:30 p.m., Skagit County
NOTICE OF SAN JUAN COUNTY COUNCIL, SKAGIT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBERS HOLDING A SPECIAL JOINT MEETING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that members of the San Juan County Council, the Skagit County Board of Commissioners and the Whatcom County Council will conduct a Special Joint Meeting on Tuesday, February 5, 2019 beginning at 2:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Skagit County Commissioners Hearing Room, 1800 Continental Place #100, Mount Vernon.
The purpose of the special joint meeting is to appoint a replacement to fill the vacant 40th Legislative District State Senate position, and to discuss a potential vacancy in the 40th Legislative District State House of Representatives.
For more information please contact the Clerk of the San County Council at (360) 370-7472, ingridg@sanjuanco.com.
It is crucial that citizens of these three Districts tell there PCO ( Precinct Captains) and County Council Representatives, whom they prefer as the Candidate to replace Senator Ranker.
This is a very important appointment and the 40th needs a strong leader.
Alex Ramel for Senate!
Thank you, Ingrid, for the update. Council members, Rick, Jamie and Bill, is it possible to learn who are the candidates under consideration. We’ve seen former 40th house member Kris Lytton showing interest; I for one, wholeheartedly support her selection. Kris has been in the legislature in a variety of leadership positions and can hit the ground running considering that the 2019 regular legislative session is in it’s third week and scheduled to finish on April 28th.
“potential vacancy in the 40th Legislative District State House of Representatives”, does this mean that one or both of the current 40th house members are in consideration.
Are current council members of the three counties in the running?
Thank you.
Here is a link to a Precinct map https://sanjuanco.com/DocumentCenter/View/11255/Countywide-Precinct-Map?bidId= . Here is a link to the contact information for your PCOs https://sjdemocrats.org/about-us-2/precinct-committee-officers/ . Currently the people I know of who would like to be considered for appointment are:
Kris Lytton
Learner Limbach
Liz Lovelet
Stacey Smith
Jamie Stephens
Rud Browne
Mr. Stephens and Mr. Browne are both sitting members of the County Councils who will make the ultimate decision on the appointment. Currently the WSDC expects them to resign their current positions with no guarantee of appointment if they wish to be eligible for nomination. This is in concurrence with opinions issued by the State Attorney General’s Office in 1985 & 1987. The Councilmen dispute the validity of these opinions and believe they have a Constitutional right to seek appointment. To this end they asked for a review of the situation by the legal counsel retained by the WSAC (a non-profit group established to advance the interests of 39 member counties which is 50% funded by dues from the counties and 50% funded by fees for projects they are engaged to complete.). The WSAC Counsel did not issue official legal advice, but did disagree with the Attorney General’s Opinions. It is unlikely that either the WSDC or the AGO will alter their positions before the February 2nd meeting of PCOs.
Cindy Wolf
Democratic PCO for the 22nd
Vice Chair, SJC Democratic Committee
To back up a bit, the PCOs from the 40th LD will meet with the chair of the WSDCC on February 2nd to select a list of three candidates, The combined County Councils will meet February 5th to appoint from that list.
At the very bottom of the article above, it states “and to discuss a potential vacancy in the 40th Legislative District State House of Representatives.” The PCOs who are meeting this Saturday have only been told they will vote to come up with three nominees for the senate vacancy. They have not been instructed to consider potential candidates for a house vacancy. Because the PCOs are the ones to come up with any list of three candidates, the county councils may discuss any potential house opening but will not be able to choose someone for that position should it become vacant. This would lack fair notice to any possible candidates who might want to be considered.
Andy, Alex Ramel has chosen not to be considered for the senate position. However, should the house position open, he might be interested.
David Turnoy
Chair, San Juan County Democrats
Thank you, Cindy and David for the update and the clarification. My view is that the PCO’s need to move post haste and recommend a viable candidate that can hit the ground running if and when elected/appointed by the three county councils. This is a critical year for the legislature and a full slate of legislators from the 40th is critical to advancing the needs of the school children and staffs, community services, transportation and more.
My understanding is that there will be a special election this coming November to elect a person to fill the senate position. This will be a great opportunity for persons to file as candidates and run for that office.
I’d love to see Kris Lytton be appointed for the interim. She has the experience and has represented us well and fairly. Thank you, Cindy Wolf, for the precinct map and links.
I hope the sitting councilmembers at least recuse themselves from the discussion and the vote.
It would be good to know why a replacement is being considered.