Dembowski appointment sets up county council election in August and November

By Evan Smith

Seattle attorney Rod Dembowski’s appointment to represent County Council District 1 sets up a November general election against Democratic 32nd District State Rep. Cindy Ryu and possibly an August primary involving Dembowski, Ryu, Shoreline City Councilman Will Hall and any other candidates who may file during the May filing week.

Now that King County positions are non-partisan, they appear on the primary ballot only if there are three or more candidates. Non-partisan positions with only one or two candidates appear only on the November ballot.

Dembowski and Ryu have said that they would run. Hall has said that he would decide before the May filing week whether he would run for the County Council position or for re-election to the Shoreline City Council. State law prohibits anyone from running for two public offices in the same year,

Ryu can run for the position without jeopardizing the final year of her seat in the legislature.

Dembowski has reported raising $67,361 and spending $6.769. Ryu reports raising $31,367 and spending $4,914. Hall has raised $7,680 and raised $1,412.

Council District 1 incudes Shorelinne, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, Woodinville, the King County part of Bothell, north Kirkland, unincorporated areas between Bothelll and Kirkland, and northeast Seattle.