Sound Politics: "Odds against rookie in race for county executive"

July 30, 2007

"Odds against rookie in race for county executive"

That's your Captain Obvious headline from today's Everett Herald discussing the Snohomish County Executive's race.

It gives me little joy to say this but this race is officially a joke. I'm sure Jack Turk is a decent guy. He sure seems like it. But he's no contender for a major office and the sooner this campaign is over the better.

The article pretty much says it all. Novice candidate, no functional campaign, no hope. To use a bad pun, I hadn't heard Jack about Turk's campaign between his announcement back in May and today's story. That's not good.

To use another bad pun, it looks like the magician's campaign has pulled a disappearing act.

I know, I know, that's not very nice. But if you don't laugh at this race you're going to cry. I was guessing Democratic incumbent Aaron Reardon would pull about 60% before Rick Bart dropped out. I pegged it at about 65% - 35% after Turk announced. Now I think Reardon might hit 70%, which approaches the absolute minimum floor remaining of putting someone on the ballot in Snohomish County with an "R" next to their name.

Compare that to Reardon's 52% - 48% win over my dad in 2003. Excuse me while I go shake my head and mutter to myself.

Just another reminder the most interesting races to watch in the county this year are for Sheriff and to replace Gary Nelson in the 3rd Council District.

More on both races to come at this site, in the meantime, you can see
Renne Radcliff Sinclair and Mike Cooper debate at the Lynnwood City Council Chambers (19100 44th Ave West) at 7 pm, July 31st. It's billed as the first debate in the 3rd Council District race and is sponsored by the League of Women Voters...just got an email about it today.

Posted by Eric Earling at July 30, 2007 11:03 PM | Email This

Comments

1. When pudge asked us to give him questions to ask Turk and pudge would print the answers and then didn't, I suspected a problem.

But, this voter is voting for Reardon and I see a 80-20 split. Turk isn't active in the party, even. Turk said he would work hard when he got nominated, but in the article, he says he has other jobs that have a higher priority.

Posted by: swatter on July 31, 2007 07:03 AM

2. This is just another example of how screwed up the local GOP machine really is. Whether he had a shot to defeat Reardon or not, Bart did no one a favor by waiting until the last minute to withdraw and he lost a great deal of my respect by doing so. Frankly, I don’t even see why the Republicans are putting forth any candidate, especially someone who really isn’t (apparently) interested. It’s frustrating to watch the continuous Keystone Cop routine played out in this county (and overall, the state) by GOP “leadership.” There seems to be no cohesiveness in the party. It almost seems that it is every man for himself. This should not be construed as a condemnation of everyone in the party, because I know there are folks who work very hard and would like to bring about some change. But where are the grassroots these days? Where is some young blood, some fresh ideas to infuse a disoriented and disorganized party? It would say something for the state party if they would begin taking the time to raise up some new candidates and leaders instead of putting on a good face, but sticking with the same old routine.

Posted by: Blazer67 on July 31, 2007 07:50 AM

3. swatter: I actually just forgot. You're the only one who asked any questions. And I am pretty sure I asked what you wanted ... but it was a month ago and now I don't recall.

Basically, however, Jack is working on the campaign. More is coming.

Blazer67: he is very interested and he is doing a lot. He's got his web site up, he's working on plans for a "grassroots" sign campaign and various events. He will be working the county fair.

As to what this says about the party, I don't think it says anything, except that no other candidate was willing to run, including Eric's dad. No one could have worked harder to find a candidate than did our leadership, so I think blaming this on the leadership is ... odd.

Eric: I think Jack has a good chance not only to get more votes than you think, but also to change the tone of politics in the county. Yes, I wish things were moving along faster, too. We'll see.

Posted by: pudge on July 31, 2007 09:03 AM

4. Will Baker got 32.58% of the vote in Snohomish County in 2004 for State Auditor. So how could Jack Turk do any worse?

Posted by: Richard Pope on July 31, 2007 09:07 AM

5. First, pudge, Turk needs to get control of the newspaper. The problems I noted were quotes and paraphrases of his interview with the Democratic newspaper where the executive's wife used to work.

He shouldn't have admitted the task was daunting, etc.. Rookie mistake? Probably, but he has no margin of error. And his campaign was supposed to have started by the middle of June, or we were to have notice of his web page by then.

Posted by: swatter on July 31, 2007 09:46 AM