Update: Jan Drago appointed as County Councilmember

(Councilmember Drago sworn in by Superior Court Presiding Judge Bruce Hilyer, official county photo added 5:15 pm)
2:47 PM: As noted toward the end of our earlier report, the King County Council is back in session. It is now moving back to the item regarding appointment of a new councilmember to fill the seat left open when Dow Constantine became County Executive. Larry Phillips has suggested reconsideration of former Seattle City Councilmember Jan Drago – procedural points are being discussed. (A motion to appoint Drago failed three weeks ago in a 4-4 deadlock, as did a motion to appoint State Sen. Joe McDermott, who is supported by the 34th District Democrats, which has a contingent of supporters here as was the case during the 7-hour meeting three weeks ago.) Councilmember Patterson says she’d vote no on Drago; she’s in favor of appointing McDermott. (Drago is not here.) Phillips says he supports McDermott too BUT he doesn’t see another way for the 8th District to go ahead and get representation, aside from the Drago move. Councilmember Larry Gossett says he’ll vote no on Drago – saying he got three more pro-McDermott e-mails just since the council meeting resumed. Gossett says it seems clear McDermott will get voters’ support later this year, so why postpone the inevitable and appoint someone else in the interim? Chair Bob Ferguson says he will vote against reconsideration, too. 1st vote, to reconsider: As he said he would, Phillips goes with the 4 Republican members, and the motion to reconsider passes 5-3. Phillips then defended his move, saying that there is no other way to break the impasse, and saying Drago had an excellent career and will be a good councilmember.

3:12 PM: Councilmember Reagan Dunn says Phillips is doing “a noble thing”; several in the McDermott-support group in the chamber groaned at that. He says, “It may take 12 months but everybody will get what they want here.” He also suggests that maybe it’s better that McDermott not be representing the district while running for the office because campaigning is a “big job.” He says it’s not good for democracy to put somebody in who is “anointed. … But I just want to remind folks, these are all solid Democrats who are here … we followed a process, we worked hard not to hold it up, we haven’t put a Republican name in there … I hate to say it but I think we are being very fair in this process … in the end of the day, democracy wins.” Now there will be a vote to amend the legislation to add Drago’s name. That passes 5-3, the Republicans plus Phillips. And that leads to one more vote.

3:21 PM: Patterson says “it’s a done deal so I’m switching my vote to aye.” McDermott supporters from the 34th District Democrats have gotten up and left the council chambers. Ferguson says he also will vote yes on final passage. And the appointment of Jan Drago passes unanimously. She is not in the chambers but reportedly will be tracked down to be sworn in (not clear at this point if that will happen today).

4:01 PM: We talked briefly with Sen. McDermott afterward. Here’s his short comment on video:

We’ll also be adding video of Councilmember Phillips explaining why he broke ranks. (5:52 pm – here’s the clip):

4:26 PM UPDATE: Drago has been sworn in. Photos at Publicola.

5:15 PM UPDATE: The county shared its official photo, which is now atop this report. With Councilmember Drago, from left, are Councilmembers Dunn, von Reichbauer, and Phillips.

5:47 PM: Congratulatory statement from County Executive Dow Constantine:

“I know that Jan will do a great job as the caretaker in this important office. We have had the opportunity to work together on a number of issues, including the viaduct replacement. I look forward to working with Councilmember Drago to serve the people of the 8th Council District.”

28 Replies to "Update: Jan Drago appointed as County Councilmember"

  • funkietoo January 4, 2010 (3:24 pm)

    Reagan Dunn should have done a noble thing and helped appoint Joe. Dunn is a showboat…

  • chas redmond January 4, 2010 (3:30 pm)

    There’s a reason why Phillips lost.

  • chas redmond January 4, 2010 (3:31 pm)

    There’s also a reason why Drago lost.

  • charlabob January 4, 2010 (3:37 pm)

    The outrageous farce of “nonpartisanship” continues.

  • wseye January 4, 2010 (3:41 pm)

    Jan is an excellent choice, she brings 16 years of experience to this caretaker position and will make the rest of the year a productive one for District 8.

  • Marcee Stone January 4, 2010 (3:54 pm)

    Yes, it’s a big job, Reagan Dunn. But gee, didn’t you just run for office while holding the office you just ran for? And why in the world would you state: “I hate to say it but I think we are being very fair in this process.” This was truly a sham, a sorry state of affairs. Apparently, the big donors won again. Look out Maury Island.

  • old timer January 4, 2010 (3:55 pm)

    And, the mayoral consolation prize goes to – Ms. Drago!

  • Alki Area January 4, 2010 (3:55 pm)

    Lots of drama over what is a temp caretaker position. I understand each side (sorry, forgot to pretend this is ‘non-partisan’) wants to get their way, but wow.

    Non-partisan is fine for electing or appointing a dog catcher or similar job that is NOT politic related but just a specific skill set job. Your IT department shouldn’t be hired by political affiliation. But your elected “representatives” are political by nature. That’s what they do. It’s ok for that to be partisan. Pretending otherwise is silly.

  • sacatosh January 4, 2010 (4:01 pm)

    Remember the names of those in the article come re-election time…

  • Silly Goose January 4, 2010 (4:08 pm)

    You have got to be kidding me!! The fact that Drago (AKA Dragon Lady when you spell check Drago you get Dragon so fitting) was out of any type of public office was such a Fantastic way to start the new year. She is dead weight a burnt out old hag that needs to be replaced, come on why fall back on something past it’s time!! So so disappointed to read this today, UGH

  • Mike in the Junction January 4, 2010 (4:26 pm)

    First she wants to run for the Port, then the mayoral seat and now a county councilmember. Hopefully she will show up for these meetings. I thought we wanted change?

  • DownOnAlki January 4, 2010 (4:33 pm)

    That is terrible!! I am so disappointed with their choice.

  • Kassandra January 4, 2010 (4:40 pm)

    Jan is a great choice! There is a reason she was elected for 4 terms as City Councilmember. She is incredibly knowledgeable and understands the issues the County needs to deal with. She will not run for re-election in November and that means that we will have a real democratic election and the voters will get to choose who gets the position.

  • Brent January 4, 2010 (4:54 pm)

    Why all the fear of an open election? Sen. McDermott is not entitled to the seat.

    Now, he’ll have to explain his vote to stick Seattle taxpayers with the cost overruns on the deep-bore tunnel before he gets annointed.

    http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5768&year=2009

  • Mr.JT January 4, 2010 (5:51 pm)

    I used to deal with Drago when she owned her Haagen Daz stores, and she has NEVER gotten my vote. Nuf said.
    Can’t wait to see the smack down Joe puts on his opponent !

  • funkietoo January 4, 2010 (6:04 pm)

    Don’t believe anyone has stated they fear an open election and no one is entitled to the seat. Joe has earned this seat and many of us wanted him appointed so we don’t have to wait until next year for him to get started.

    The Republicans on the ‘nonpartisan’ KC Council aren’t interested in an open election–they simply want an opportunity to run a stealth republican canidate against an open seat because they fear a [Democratic] incumbent.

    Would like to know what they promised Larry Phillips in order to get him to make a motion to reinstate Jan (who I never voted for during her political career) and also vote for her. Hope it’s worth it to you, Larry, as I do not believe for a minute that you were being noble or trying ensure District 8 had representation…just like when you accepted big bucks from Glacier NW during the KC Executive primary–it’s about what Larry Phillips will get out of it. I hope a strong Democrat runs against you during your next election. Or maybe you are planning on retiring…….

  • biggmouth January 4, 2010 (6:24 pm)

    I guess we’ll just have to wait until Nov to dump Drago.
    Why do we have to recycle all these political hacks?

  • clark5080 January 4, 2010 (6:34 pm)

    If the place holder was fine for the KC Execuitive I don’t see why it was such a problem for the open council seat.
    I thionk it was a good decision.
    Face it it is going to be a “D” in the seat my jwa would drop if there was a consetive elected to the open spot or a city council position in the near future.
    Jim

  • onceachef January 4, 2010 (6:38 pm)

    What a drag-o!

  • Bill V January 4, 2010 (7:17 pm)

    I bet everyone who decries partisan politics on the council has a perfect solution….appoint someone from your favored party!!!

  • timeslid January 4, 2010 (7:20 pm)

    I was so “Impressed” by her at viaduct meeting at West Seattle High that I hoped that I would never be nearer. Well….I guess I am. Dang!

  • Dale January 4, 2010 (9:47 pm)

    Why all the fear of an open election? Sen. McDermott is not entitled to the seat.

    Now, he’ll have to explain his vote to stick Seattle taxpayers with the cost overruns on the deep-bore tunnel before he gets annointed.

    http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5768&year=2009

    Comment by Brent — January 4, 10 4:54 pm #

    I’m not saying there won’t be an issue with over runs but by the time re-election (THIS FALL) we will never know. That’s this fall, they won’t even start doing the south end of the Viaduct til then, remember?

  • Trisket January 4, 2010 (10:14 pm)

    That’s right folks of District 8 we now have a republican representative, making republican decisions on our behalf.

    We didn’t vote for Drago for mayor, but guess what? A majority of elected county officials who DON”T SERVE OUR DISTRICT got to decide who your representative will be for the next year.

    Drago will serve the interest of big business and those who put her on the council– not the citizens, not us.

    The same council members who voted for Drago couldn’t be happier to get a republican majority to thwart Dow Constantine and his initiatives at every turn.

    We need to work just as hard to get Joe McDermott elected to the council this fall as we did to get Dow in the Executive seat last fall.

  • SeattleJay January 4, 2010 (10:20 pm)

    Now we have 2 new Republicans on County Council — Larry Philips and Drago

    Losers

  • on board January 5, 2010 (10:04 am)

    This is ridiculous, it should be a requirement that the replacement live in the district being represented.

  • flowerpetal January 5, 2010 (10:17 am)

    As was pointed out yesterday, much to my chagrin, Drago does live in the 8th. Pioneer Sq. is part of the 8th and that’s home to Ms Drago.

    • WSB January 5, 2010 (10:25 am)

      For anyone who’s curious, there is a District 8 map on the county website:
      http://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/Constantine/images/D8Map.ashx
      .
      We have commonly described it as West Seattle, White Center, Vashon and environs, but it takes in a lot of other turf, including part of Beacon Hill and Burien …

  • KT January 5, 2010 (1:52 pm)

    Can’t wait until I, as a taxpayer and resident of West Seattle, actually get to vote for the BEST candidate, whoever that may be.

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