Both candidates for King County executive want to cozy up to their former election opponent, state Sen. Fred Jarrett, who lost in the primary to Susan Hutchison and Dow Constantine.
First came Hutchison, who whispered not so subtly that she would love to work with moderate-minded Jarrett if she is elected executive. She didn't specify but I got the idea that she was thinking of something like deputy executive or chief of staff.
Jarrett, to his credit, was one of the best candidates and had a pile of fresh ideas for managing the county more successfully, but he only got a small part of the primary vote.
So Hutchison, who can read an election return map as well as anyone, thought she could rush to the political middle by getting an endorsement from Jarrett, a Republican turned Democrat.
No deal. Jarrett endorsed Constantine.
Take a look at a story and the map showing how the candidates fared in the primary to get an idea of the value of Jarrett's support and ideas.
Thursday, Constantine held a press conference during which he talked about how much he likes some of Jarrett's ideas for turning King County government around.
Here's an excerpt from Constantine's press release. Note the heavy use of Jarrett's name and support for the Democratic candidate.

"Dow Constantine Issues Detailed “Uniting King County” Reform Agenda

Announcement of plan at new Constantine campaign headquarters in Bellevue covers key issues like budget, bus service, improving regional cooperation and improving the business climate in King County

Bellevue (Sept. 24) - To mark the opening of his new campaign headquarters in Bellevue, King County Executive candidate Dow Constantine today released his detailed plan for reforming King County government.

The Constantine reform plan, which was developed with input from Eastside legislators and former primary rivals Sen. Fred Jarrett and Rep. Ross Hunter, addresses a wide range of critical issues of concern to people across King County.

In releasing the plan, which is available for review at www.dowconstantine.com, Constantine drew a clear contrast with his opponent in the race, former television anchor Susan Hutchison.

“Substance matters. Experience matters. Competence matters. It matters to the public. It matters when taking the reins of a major regional government providing critical services to more than 1.8 million residents of King County,” Constantine said when releasing the plan earlier today.

While Constantine has issued detailed proposals for closing the County’s budget gap and keeping County neighborhood parks open, as today’s more comprehensive blueprint for reform, Hutchison, who has never held elective office before at any level, has yet to offer any specific plans or proposals detailing how she would address the issues facing the County.

Constantine was joined at the announcement by State Senator Fred Jarrett of Mercer Island, a former primary rival, who has contributed smart ideas on how to make County government more transparent and efficient to the Constantine plan. Jarrett's praised Constantine's reform ideas and his experience in making government work effectively.

Another primary rival, State Rep. Ross Hunter of Bellevue, also contributed ideas about how the County can contribute to improving the regional business climate. Hunter was out of town today and unable to attend the plan’s unveiling. ''

The Jarrett love-fest is two parts admiration,, one part practicality. There are a lot of moderate-minded voters who want to fix the county but don't want a strident Democrat or Republican running the office.
Jarrett told me he thinks Constantine is more experienced and he is doing what he can to help him win the race.
I also got the impression from Constantine that he wants to hire Jarrett in a high capacity if he wins.
The race is on for both candidates to get to the political and snag some of those voters in the middle.
Jarrett, by the by, is an elected state senator from Mercer Island. He would have to believe heartily in a candidate to give up a political job that puts him in charge. He might not be so eager to do that.