Video: 4 of the 5 people who want your vote for County Executive

Here’s our second video report on the big candidates’ forum at Washington Athletic Club this morning, presented by the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce-affiliated Alki Foundation. In our first one (see it here), we brought you the one-minute pitches made by the four Seattle Mayor candidates present; this time, it’s the 2 1/2-minute pitches allowed from the four King County Executive candidates who were on hand. At top, it’s King County Council Chair Dow Constantine; below, State Rep. Ross Hunter, State Sen. Fred Jarrett, and King County Councilmember Larry Phillips (absent: former TV news anchor Susan Hutchison):

As with the mayoral candidates, the KCE candidates had a “lightning round” in which yes/no questions were asked by the audience and moderator, with the candidates holding up a paddle displaying either yes or no; several questions were relevant to White Center annexation, and we’ll write up a separate report for partner site White Center Now, but among the others, a highlight included the question of whether King County Metro Transit and Sound Transit should merge – all said “no” except Hunter. We’ll be covering other forums, and presenting more close-up looks at the candidates, as the August primary gets ever-closer. (Note – The 34th District Democrats plan a candidates’ forum, with mayoral, County Executive, and other candidates, coming up June 10.)

Ramon May 8, 2009 (2:10 pm)

Dow has worked tirelessly for us and is the only politician I know of that seems to be motivated solely by a desire to make the community where he grew up a better place, he is not afraid to lead from the front on tough issues that he believes in even if it makes him some rabid enemies from fringe elements out there. Larry comes across as nice but in reality is kind of an ass that is really good at taking credit for other peoples work. He tries to claim credit for the water taxi after Dow fought tooth and nail for a decade or more to get that secured? Jarrett, like Dow, seems to be a man of good character. Too bad he’s a republican. Ross is just a spoiled microsoft millionaire that is running to feed his overinflated ego. He’ll say anything he needs to just to get elected. The people that have been unlucky enough to work around him say he’s an ill-tempered loud mouthed jerk from Philly. That’s great if your a microsoft manager, but pretty counterproductive if your the county executive trying to bring people together to get things done.

Katherine May 8, 2009 (3:53 pm)

Yeah, I would mostly agree with that. Larry and Ross seem to be typical politicians that will say whatever they need to get elected. Dow has always been an honest straight forward kind of guy that’s more of a public servant than a politician. Plus he thinks very deeply about the issues facing our region. Jarrett is a recovering republican but at least he doesn’t have questionable character like Ross “look at me I live in Medina” Hunter.

Bob May 14, 2009 (4:48 pm)

@Ramon. Jarrett switched parties, in case you missed it and got elected as a Democrat from the district that includes Mercer Island. Pretty lame comment that “too bad” he’s a Republican. I have to disagree about Hunter saying whatever will get him elected. He is indeed brash but that is only a problem if you are a wimpy Seattleite who cannot hear the truth. He actually has management experience and the county needs someone who can kick some lazy rear.
Dow is a solid guy but is just the same ol’, same ol’. Agree about Phillips. He has been twiddling his thumbs on the 12th floor, waiting for Sims to go.

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