Drafter
Clerk 04/10/2025
Title
A MOTION establishing a process for appointing the King County executive.
Body
WHEREAS, in 2024, Executive Constantine designated deputy executive Shannon Braddock as his first choice to serve as the interim executive should he no longer be able fulfill his duties as King County executive, and
WHEREAS, Dow Constantine resigned the position of King County executive effective March 31, 2025, and
WHEREAS, by operation of the King County Charter, Shannon Braddock became the interim King County executive on April 1, 2025, and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 680.10 of the King County Charter, on April 1, 2025, the King County council selected Shannon Braddock to temporarily serve as acting King County executive, and
WHEREAS, when Executive Constantine designated Shannon Braddock as his preferred selection to serve as the interim executive, Executive Constantine also designated, in order of precedence, Dwight Dively, Karan Gill, Whitney Abram, and Jennifer Hills to serve as interim executive, should Ms. Braddock be unable to serve in that position, and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 680.10 of the King County Charter and pursuant to general law for nonpartisan county elective offices, the council shall appoint a qualified person to hold the office of King County executive until a successor has been elected at the general election on November 4, 2025, and the successor has been qualified, and
WHEREAS, the challenges facing an appointed county executive during the intervening months before the November election will be enormous and might include a substantial budget shortfall as well as unprecedented uncertainty in the federal government, and
WHEREAS, the council desires a recommendation from leaders within King County to inform the council's deliberations on the matter of appointing the executive, and
WHEREAS, the council previously established a blue-ribbon selection committee to make recommendations on appointing a Kin...

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