Originally published Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 12:00 AM

Ferguson won't run for county exec; 2 legislators weigh race

Metropolitan King County Councilmember Bob Ferguson says he won't run for the county-executive seat being vacated by Ron Sims. But two state legislators, Sen. Fred Jarrett and Rep. Ross Hunter, haven't ruled it out.

By Keith Ervin

Seattle Times staff reporter

Metropolitan King County Councilmember Bob Ferguson won't run for county executive, he said Monday.

"There are two reasons for my decision, and their names are Jack and Katie," Ferguson, of Seattle, said Monday. Jack and Katie are his twin children, who turn 1 today.

Another consideration, Ferguson acknowledged, is that the race would be "up or out" for him — meaning he would have to give up his council seat to seek the executive post. Both offices will be on the November ballot.

The two declared candidates for executive — County Councilmembers Larry Phillips, of Seattle's Magnolia neighborhood, and Dow Constantine, of West Seattle, don't face that problem because their council terms run through 2011.

Politicians have been weighing their interest in King County's top administrative position since President Obama announced three weeks ago he would nominate County Executive Ron Sims to become deputy secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

Two state legislators, Sen. Fred Jarrett of Mercer Island and Rep. Ross Hunter of Medina, didn't rule out the possibility Monday that they might run. Both said they're focused on the legislative session and dealing with an $8 billion budget shortfall.

"I'll certainly consider it, but right now I have a job to do," Hunter said. "We have the biggest budget problem in Washington since the depression of the mid-30s."

Jarrett sounded more dubious about running for executive. "I can't think of a job I'd rather have, but I can't think of any way I can get there. I'm down here [in Olympia] doing the work I get paid to do. When we get done it will be maybe May or maybe June."

Keith Ervin: 206-464-2105 or kervin@seattletimes.com

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