This Saturday, Dec. 4, the King County GOP is electing its leadership for the next two years. You are eligible to vote if you are a Precinct Committee Officer (PCO). If you have to ask what this means, you are not a PCO. (If you have been a PCO in the recent past but are unsure of your current status, check with your legislative district chair).

The top post, King County GOP Chair[wo]man, is being vacated with the retirement of Pat Herbold. Michael Young is running to succeed her. I am not aware of any candidates who are challenging Michael Young. Young is a terrific GOP activist, most recently as State and County Executive Board member for the 7th Congressional District. I heartily endorse Michael Young for County Chairman, and his running mate, Lori Sotelo, for Vice-Chair.

The only major open contest is for 7th Congressional District Executive Board and WA State GOP Committee, succeeding Michael Young. I know of four people who are running. The one person who is head and shoulders above the others is my friend, Terry Thomas. Terry is in his mid-30s, a new father, a businessman, a retired Marine Corps Major. As a reserve officer, he went on combat missions in Iraq last year. He's charismatic, energetic, a good speaker and will be able to expand the party's base in Seattle. Every King County PCO can vote for this office, you don't have to live in the 7th C.D. I heartily endorse Terry Thomas and encourage every King County PCO to vote for him. Some of the other candidates are also my friends, and they might yet win my support in another race at another time. But Terry is the only person in this race who currently has my confidence to do the job that needs to be done.

Monica Tracey is running for re-election for the other 7th C.D. Executive Board seat. Monica faces only token opposition and she deserves to be re-elected.