The Royer-Triplett tiff
A surprise outcome in naming an interim King County Executive may set off political repercussions, and define a theme of the need for reform of the courthouse gang
Updated below, May 22.
The crowded race for King County Executive had a moment of truth this week, when the Metro King County Council voted, 6-3, to name Kurt Triplett, rather than Charles Royer, as the County Executive for the next half year. The vote was a lens into the murky world of courthouse politics, and it might prove an electoral liability for one or two candidates to succeed Ron Sims, County Councilmembers Larry Phillips and Dow Constantine.
The whole question of who should hold down the county's top job after Sims departed to his new post in the Obama administration has tied the council in knots for months. Many aspired to the job, but none could get a majority of the council, so the nine-member council decided to create a blue-ribbon panel of local worthies, who vetted names submitted by the councilmembers. That group duly recommended Royer, the former Seattle mayor, over Triplett, the former chief of staff to Sims, by a 10-5 margin. Royer (who has declined interview requests while he simmers down) had made it clear that he would start the process of reforming the courthouse, shining flashlights in dark corners. Triplett was a figure of continuity, a 16-year veteran of the county government staff.
By the end of last week, it appeared that Royer would get the job. Larry Gossett and Julia Patterson, two strong Sims' loyalists, were in the Triplett camp, as were two Republicans, Peter Von Reichbauer (in inveterate dealmaker with the Democratic powers-that-be) and Reagan Dunn (generally in the Von Reichbauer camp). Republicans Jane Hague and Cathy Lambert were leaning toward Royer, along with Bob Ferguson, a reform-minded Democrat. That left the balance of power with Phillips and Constantine, two Seattle Democrats and both candidates for Sims' position in this fall's election. Both have been increasingly critical of Sims and his top lieutenant, and both are Seattle liberals who might find a former Seattle mayor congenial. So it was thought by many that they would vote for Royer. Especially Constantine, who is running as a reformer who wants to "reset" the crusty courthouse.
On Monday morning, Royer and Triplett were interviewed by the Council. Royer had aced the blue-ribbon group interview; this time Triplett did better. All weekend the two swing Democrats had been lobbied by partisans of Triplett (especially labor unions) and Royer (former County Executive Randy Revelle, once Phillips' boss, particularly urged Royer on Phillips, according to the councilmember). Five minutes before the vote, Phillips told his colleagues he was supporting Triplett. Constantine, as Council President, got to cast the last vote, with Triplett already having the needed five votes; he too voted for Triplett.
The losing side soon launched a speculative frenzy, and some of the blue ribbon committee members were angry that their advisory group, lopsided for Royer, didn't carry the day. Here are three theories about what tipped it for Triplett:
Labor showed its fist. There are a lot of jobs in the county, almost all unionized, and Phillips is a staunch labor supporter, while Royer (clearly pro-union) was more of an unknown. Moreover, Phillips needs ardent labor support in his county executive race. Other Democrats, fearful that labor could run somebody against them, now that the new top-two, non-partisan primary system makes that more of a threat, knuckled under labor's threats more than usual. It's not clear that labor pushed that hard, however. One lobbyist told me he instructed his union to stay out of it.
Fear of change. King County is supposedly ripe for reform, since it is loaded with workers and has a serious revenue problem. At least three of the candidates (moderate Eastside Democrats Ross Hunter and Fred Jarrett, plus former broadcaster Susan Hutchison) raise the reform banner, as does Constantine to a lesser degree. Why let Royer loose in the henhouse, creating evidence of the need for more change? That might elect a reform County Executive, and the closed-club, tenure-once-elected courthouse gang could be in jeopardy.
Strong council, weak executive. The Council has grown accustomed to having things more its way as Ron Sims grew more erratic in his third term. With painful budget cuts in the offing, why give up power to the executive? Triplett, while experienced and very competent, would have no public stature for defying the council, especially since he pledged not to run for the job. Royer has a power base as well as good national media connections, plus a lot of strong ideas about urban politics.
UPDATED. Constantine would seem to have suffered the most, since he has been talking about rebooting the county government and "clearing away what isn't working." "Why not start now?" was the obvious question posed by an unhappy council member. Constantine explains his vote as "moot," since by the time he got to vote, last as Council chair, Phillips had cast the deciding fifth vote for Triplett. This explanation begs the question of why Constantine didn't commit earlier to Royer, thus putting Phillips on the spot; or why he didn't vote for Royer anyway, in order to declare his real preference. Constantine's profile in waffling revives a nagging doubt about how much spine this mild-mannered politician has as a leader.
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Comments:
Posted Thu, May 21, 11:22 a.m. inappropriate
It's hardly surprising that 18-year Courthouse insider Phillips cast the deciding vote for the union-backed candidate. Constantine probably made a political blunder by not taking the symbolic vote against Triplett/for Royer (the whole Council voted for Triplett on the main motion for that illusion of unity), but the matter was already settled.
Posted Thu, May 21, 4:10 p.m. inappropriate
Yet another example of the exploitation of the taxpayers at the hands of a few politicial insiders. The Blue Ribbon commission was a joke, everyone knew it.
This also points out how out of control the public sector unions have gotten, they add no value for the taxpayers, they only support puppets for public office. King County and more specifically Seattle has taken a big dump in it's own backyard with these candidates and now they are rolling around in it until November.
Posted Thu, May 21, 4:17 p.m. inappropriate
I happen to believe Mr. Triplett was selected for a 4th reason: Because he was the best prepared, most capable person of handling the MANY responsibilities of County Executive for the next six months. I watched the interviews and was appalled that Mr. Royer could not answer the question: "What other important issues are facing the County other than the budget." He simply didn't know! Mr. Triplett, on the other hand, showed himself to be intimately familiar with all aspects of King County government, its people, its policies and its even its problems. As for the Blue Ribbon panel, you said yourself that Mr. Royer has a "power base" -- I wonder how many on the Blue Ribbon Panel were either part of, or impressed by, that power base. I say huge kudos to Mr. Phillips (and, after the fact, Mr. Constantine) for doing the RIGHT thing for the government (and not for political reasons) in selecting Mr. Triplett. That must have been difficult to do in the face of a popular former mayor with extensive power and support. Thank you Mr. Phillips and Mr. Constantine (and the others who supported Mr. Triplett) -- you did the RIGHT thing because you care about King County! Your courage is appreciated by those who understand.
Posted Thu, May 21, 5:24 p.m. inappropriate
GOOD GRIEF Mr. Brewster - voting for Triplett is a no brainer. As 6 members
of the Council finally realized. With elections in the offing, you want to franchise Royer to wine and dine every media flak out there for six months on a steady diet of generic "reform"? With no accountability to ANYONE except his very own charming self? Better safe and sane status quo for six months and let the campaigns and the voters determine the future direction of King County. It's not even close - as the vote showed. The only thing politically dumber than choosing Royer is blaming the outcome on the Unions.
Ross Kane Snohomish County Council 1990-1993
Posted Thu, May 21, 10:44 p.m. inappropriate
God forbid the County would have to break in a whole new corrupt official when we have one already in place and familiar with the location of all of the bodies. Sims, Triplett, Phillips, Constantine they are are the same. King County needs a fiscal conservative and a council to back them up. No one who has declared to date really represents change.
Posted Thu, May 21, 10:48 p.m. inappropriate
Great article--- I hope Crosscut can do more county coverage.
Posted Fri, May 22, 2:36 a.m. inappropriate
I must of missed the part of the article that illustrates "political implications". The only opinion expressed was that of criticism of Dow Constantine and Larry Phillips. The commentary suggests the author is setting up his position to support an "outside canididate". More to come...
Why didn't Ross Hunter, Fred Jarret, or Susan Hutchinson comment on who and why they think should be interim executive? Because they are all name building for future endeavors and wil be politcally irrelevant come September. So why rock the boat now?
Posted Fri, May 22, 10:06 a.m. inappropriate
Dear Mr. Brewster: I enjoy reading Crosscut because the journalism is usually thoughtful and accurate. I'm sorry to say I'm disappointed in this particular case. It sounds to me like you are mainly reporting the "losing side's speculative frenzy," as you call it. Charley Royer deserves our admiration and respect for many years of public service. But frankly, so does Kurt Triplett. He has dedicated 17 years to serving the citizens by working for King County. He has just done so behind the scenes, seeking no recognition for himself. The difference between Royer and Triplett during the Council interviews was a fascinating constrast. Did you notice how, for Royer, it was all about Royer. Something along the lines of "This is a good time in my career, and my personal life, for me to be doing this." Then he told many stories about his time as mayor. Whereas Triplett discussed, in detail, the issues and challenges facing King County and his plans for solving them. Honestly, I can see why intelligent, sincere, hard-working people like Triplett DON'T run for office. Because it would be really hard to accept stories like this! I believe you wrote an interesting story -- but where is full story -- with information from the "other side" about why Triplett was chosen? Or even an interview with Triplett himself. I wish Kurt Triplett the best in his career. Having heard his interview I hope it involves a run for for office. Unfortunately for all of us, it probably won't.
Posted Fri, May 22, 10:19 a.m. inappropriate
Constantine's 'reform' agenda strikes me as rather thin.
I am reminded of the recent whistleblower law suit won by two land use employees regarding Redmond Ridge (represented by Needle, et al) - within a day or two Constantine was on the Radio praising Satterberg, a responsible party to this land use employee abuse.
Posted Sat, May 23, 2:49 a.m. inappropriate
Mr. Tooley characterizes Mr. Constantine's reform agenda as thin. Who else has laid out a more comprehensive agenda than Council Chair Constantine? The fact remains that King County has numerous tough decisions with short and long term implications. And Dow is the only candidate addressing real reform and increased accountability. Most recently, he has proposed solutions for the immediate short term issues with health care costs and budget cuts, and in the long term with regional transit, protecting greenscapes, and reforming the regressionist tax policy of the county.
Mr. Constantine has a track record of effective leadership and is widely known for a high demand of accountability and efficiency. On every local issue confronting his constituency (which happens to be the only district that is urban, suburban, and rural) he has fought for pragmatic solutions to complex problems.
Mr. Phillips is the status quo, an urban elite with that has only represented incorporated Seattle and it's mixed land use developers. Hunter and Jarret are outsiders (of county government) with good records Microsoft and Boeing and then Olympia. But frankly couldn't achieve results with a strong county council without having the established relationships with current the sitting members.
Dow is the viable reform candidate in this race. He will bring realistic reform to the office of the executive. He will maintain King County's promise and prosperity and usher in a new era of efficiency and accountability.
Posted Mon, May 25, 9:06 a.m. inappropriate
Dow is for change even when he is voting for things to stay exactly as they are for the next six months. He is that interested in changing things.
Words, deeds?
He may be the #1 change agent but now is not the time to roll over on a "throw away" vote.
Posted Tue, Jun 2, 11:59 a.m. inappropriate
Both Royer and Kurt seem like good people, but Kurt was the right choice for now because of his connection to the government to get us through the next 6 months. Other than what I can find on www.susanhutchison.com, can anyone tell me about Susan?