POLITICS: Dow Constantine tells birthday gathering he won’t run for re-election

(King County photo, Dow Constantine’s 2009 swearing-in)

After 15 years as King County Executive, West Seattleite Dow Constantine announced tonight that he won’t run for another term when his current one is up next year. A WSB source at his “25th Annual 39th Birthday Party” at Mission in The Admiral District says he made the announcement to the crowd, and promised he wouldn’t fade away into retirement.

(Photo special to WSB)

Constantine won the office in 2009, moving up from the County Council, running after his predecessor Ron Sims left for a job in Washington, D.C. He’s also sent a news release, with a statement reading in part:

I am grateful for the progress we have made, striving for a better government and a fairer, more just society. We have built more access to opportunity, taken action to safeguard the health of our environment and our people, and set ourselves to the task of identifying and dismantling the systemic racism, sexism, and all the injustices that hold our nation back.

The work is constantly challenging and often daunting, but it is also extraordinarily rewarding to be able to help others. It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve in this role, but it’s time to let a new leader take the reins and build on the work we have done, and so I will not be seeking re-election.

As for who that’ll be, remember that State Senator Joe Nguyen challenged him three years ago; we’ll be checking with him among others. County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay has sent a news release saying he is “strongly” considering running.

Kt November 12, 2024 (7:47 pm)

What always amazes me about Dow is how he quietly goes about running the country…rarely in the news and 15 years of service to the people. He will be hard to replace

T Rex November 12, 2024 (8:00 pm)

And the hits just keep coming!!

Question Authority November 12, 2024 (8:39 pm)

Even though Dow’s seen as West Seattle’s prodigal son that’s the best news for this region in quite a while, I’ve grown tired of the same drum beat and the costly pet projects all the while catering to special interests. Considering his negative views of Public Safety (Burien for example) and the consequences as such we all witness daily, I cannot thank him enough for moving on.

Alki resident November 12, 2024 (8:51 pm)

Extremely well said. He did nothing for Burien. He won’t be missed. He was in this way too long. Time to bring in someone who will actually make changes..
- Mr J November 12, 2024 (9:05 pm)
  
  Shouldn’t you two be bullying a kid on Twitter for having pronouns in their bio? Dow has done a lot for the area and he’s had a lot of missteps too. You don’t have to get nasty about it. You should run for his office.
  - Villagegreen November 12, 2024 (10:54 pm)
    
    Ha! That would require more skills than typing.
bill November 12, 2024 (9:54 pm)

I thought Burien was its own grown-up city. But you’re saying it needs special coddling from the county? Would that make it a special interest?
- Question Authority November 13, 2024 (8:31 am)
  
  Your mistaken as I was saying that Dow and his appointee the Sheriff singled out Burien for retaliation, Burien should be able to count on the contractually hired Police force to enforce the laws. Dow’s influence over the Sheriff is a prime example of overreach and the Courts have ruled against them for meddling.
Seattlite November 13, 2024 (4:40 am)

Question Authority: I 100% agree with your comment. King County has numerous problems that never seem to be addressed and solved with the two biggest issues being homelessness, crime. These two big problems keep festering without any real plans to 100% resolve them.
- CAM November 13, 2024 (7:21 am)
  
  It is really unbelievable that Seattle/King County government has been unable to solve problems that have existed since the dawn of human civilization.
- momosmom November 13, 2024 (8:03 am)
  
  This is just my opinion and you can take it with a grain of salt. I believe KC Dow Constantine just left a very sour taste in the mouths of the residents and businesses of the City of Burien by letting the homelessness and crime go out of control in their city for way too long. Have any of you driven by, walked by the camp that WAS on KC Property and seen how disgraceful it was for the people living there and surrounding it, do any of you know it took weeks and weeks before even any Sani-cans and dumpsters were brought in? Remember this was on KC Property, this was not on the City of Burien’s property. When the City did try and enforce a “no camping” law who put a do not enforce onto the police department, none other than Dow and Dow’s Sheriff Patricia Cole-Tindall. So again they left a very sour taste in a lot of peoples mouths. And to quote another comment “he has really been a great asset to our community, and just a great human being in general” I’m sure he is but just for the community portion he was a great asset to WS what about all the rest of King County?
- Reed November 13, 2024 (8:07 am)
  
  You guys need to drop the crime argument; it’s no worse here than it is anywhere else, including deep red areas. Stop with the lies.
  - momosmom November 13, 2024 (9:00 am)
    
    Yes I’ll speak for myself I understand the crime rate is everywhere and also in other States but when it hits home base it is more personal
  - Daniel November 13, 2024 (10:46 am)
    
    Reed, it depends on what type of crime you’re talking about. We definitely have higher burglary rates than basically any other metro in the country, per FBI data. For homicide, there are many metros with drastically higher rates (St Louis, Baltimore, Detroit, NO, Memphis for example). Seattle is pretty middling for homicide rate compared to other metros. I don’t know about deep red, because afaik almost all metro areas tend to vote less red.
  - Jason November 13, 2024 (12:17 pm)
    
    ++++ to Reed^. Rinck got more votes than Nelson and Harrell. We are over the crime whining as a city at least. County probably too. Your side didn’t get it done. We are about to see a big shift back to normalcy w/r/t the city races coming up. Nelson is toast.
Lola November 13, 2024 (7:35 am)

I don’t live in Burien but I agree with you that he needs to move on. I have seen nothing of value that this man can bring to the table. He has only taken Millions of dollars and Squandered it aimlessly for nothing to show for it. Lots of Dilapitated Hotels, & Motels that not even the Homeless want to live in. Good Riddance.

K November 12, 2024 (9:53 pm)

It will be so sad to see him go. He has really been a great asset to our community, and he’s just a kind human being in general. I remember after the big fire in White Center a few summers back, Dow walking down the sidewalk talking to the shop owners who were there cleaning up. No cameras, no one interviewing him. He just stopped by to see what was happening with his own eyes and talk to people because he cared. Hopefully whoever takes the reigns next follows his lead and comes from a place of compassion and common sense when dealing with the big issues that King County faces. He didn’t always get things right, but I always found him to be honest and humble, rare qualities in a politician. Thank you so much, Mr. Constantine! Our household wishes you all the best in the next chapter of your story.

Dr Wu November 13, 2024 (12:26 pm)

Good riddance. Like our state governor, Dow has overstayed his welcome.

Anne November 12, 2024 (9:59 pm)

Best News Ever.

millie November 12, 2024 (10:40 pm)

It could be time for a moderate democrat or, dare I say it, moderate republican to run. From my personal perspective too many progressive democrats have created too many issues with little resolution in sight.

Sixbuck November 13, 2024 (5:39 am)

FYI, around here, moderate democrats ARE republicans.
Derek November 13, 2024 (9:23 am)

Uh, Dow IS the moderate, we could go way left of him and do some actual good.

Peter November 12, 2024 (10:40 pm)

Dow is a true progressive who has lived and acted by his true beliefs for decades. Sadly, he is likely only the first of the actual liberals in politics who will retire rather than go along with the Democrats as they reposition themselves as a “conservative but not quite as far right wing as the Republicans” party. RIP American liberalism.

Gaslit November 13, 2024 (12:02 am)

Interesting timing after his failed lawsuit against the city of Burien and his front & center embarrassment on the light rail cost overrun quagmire. Goodbye Dow.

Tired of the BS November 13, 2024 (1:23 am)

King Dow abdicating? ‘Bout time… I’m sure he wanted to run for governor but Slick Bob had him “blocked” by riding Inslee’s coat tails for years. It’s all the same pap year after year…

CarDriver November 13, 2024 (6:14 am)

Question for those making negative comments about Dow. What’s YOUR plans for making everybody happy/everything better? You do have better plans, don’t you?? Please share!!

Anne November 13, 2024 (7:18 am)

There is no making everyone happy -obviously. But keeping the same tired one-dimensional politicians in office isn’t the answer.
momosmom November 13, 2024 (9:09 am)

Again just speaking for myself. You asked. “What’s YOUR plans for making everybody happy/everything better? You do have better plans, don’t you?? Please share!!”All I can do as a “regular” person is VOTE in the person who I believe has the integrity and heart for the good of all the people in King County and hope who I chose/choose will be that person. I believe that is all we can do when you are just a “regular” person.

Me mama November 13, 2024 (7:00 am)

Dang, this is a huge job that has little chance of getting fully appreciated given the complexity of issues and scope of running a huge county. I agree that he’s done a great, humble, honest job with best intentions for all, thank you for your service!

AmandaK November 13, 2024 (7:50 am)

As someone who lives in Burien, it was the Burien City Council that blocked a $1,000,000 investment into the city provided by King County. Burien, like other cities in the South Sound are part of a regional coalition to tackle housing issues, like homelessness and they shirk their duties. Root causes of homelessness include income inequality, lack of healthcare and a myriad of other factors. While these issues are hard to challenge with companies like Amazon skewing financial reality, Dow made huge strides by buying defunct hotels and making them shelters. I could never claim that Dow’s administration has been perfect, but let’s not forget that King County is viewed as a model for many other governments in other states.

Ex-Westwood Resident November 13, 2024 (4:11 pm)

That $1,000,000 would have provided funds for the operation of a “pallet” village for about 8 months, then the city of Burien would have had to pick up the tab.

Oh…did I mention that the lot it was planned to go on abutted a high school, Kennedy Catholic, a residential area and was less than a half mile from an elementary school?
- AmandaK November 14, 2024 (7:44 am)
  
  Housing in a residential neighborhood? What were they thinking?!

matt November 13, 2024 (7:58 am)

Thank u for all u did for King County and Seattle, especially West Seattle. Dow is a massive music fan, was always fun seeing him at all the local clubs and whenever Nick Cave or The Who came thru town, could always count on seeing him scurrying his way to the front. A huge supporter of live music and local art. One of the most special days in Easy Street/Junction history was on June 6, 2020 when we hosted the George Floyd/BLM protest. Would not have been possible without Dow. Was later regarded as the most peaceful protest in Seattle during those times. Were u there? Matt

WSRob November 13, 2024 (8:46 am)

I don’t like Dow at all, but I didn’t know he was 64.

Derek November 13, 2024 (8:53 am)

Dow is instrumental in getting us light rail so I respect him for that Dow doesn’t come anywhere close to progressive and it’s funny that the conservative commenter crowd (one that’s in a big time minority according to election results) doesn’t like him. We need a replacement to the left of him and more urbanist.

North Admiral November 13, 2024 (9:21 am)

Like most Progressives, Dow has never really told us what we’re progressing towards, just vague abstract ideas. He’s led the ultimate privileged life here in West Seattle. He’ll never be governor, US Senate seats are locked up for at least another 20 years; I anticipate he’ll start collecting huge consulting fees working for one of the massive tax funded public works projects he started; my guess is Sound Transit, making upwards of $350,000/year. All possible replacements are even more liberal than Dow. :(https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/sound-transit-will-pay-600k-to-new-megaproject-leader-hired-from-lax/#:~:text=A%20variety%20of%20problems%20are,which%20the%20board%20formally%20accepted.

N in Seattle November 13, 2024 (5:55 pm)

Senate locked up for 20 years??

Patty will be 94 twenty years from now (I know this because she’s about two months younger than I am). Maria will be a spring chicken of 86.

Jason November 13, 2024 (11:22 am)

Claudia Balducci is running. YES! Lightrail expansion please!

Admiral-2009 November 13, 2024 (12:59 pm)

I did not agree with some of Dow’s spending priorities but he was a pragmatic and competent County Executive that I voted for a number of times.

Ex-Westwood Resident November 13, 2024 (4:16 pm)

Maybe we will get someone that thinks crimes committed by juveniles should have punishment involved instead of a hug and an excuse of they don’t understand the difference between right and wrong, due to underdeveloped thought processes due to their age.

Remember he was the BIGGEST advocate for shutting down and closing ALL juvenile detention centers while raising the age of a juvenile to 25 instead of 18.

millie November 16, 2024 (4:18 pm)

Just a thought, could Dow be considering the CEO position at Sound Transit? Goren Sparrman is the Interim CEO. Don’t remember when his contract is up. Any thoughts?

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