Reardon for executive; Lindsey for treasurer

Ideally, Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon and his Democratic administration would have faced a tough re-election examination before voters went to the polls. Snohomish County Republicans let them down.

The GOP candidate, Jack Turk, never put the time or intensity into a campaign to make it a real race. Ultimately, the party, more than its candidate, was a no-show. Republicans would not or could not find someone with the experience, background or enthusiasm to challenge Reardon. That is too bad for voters.

Of course, the reason no serious challenger stepped forward is because Reardon had a solid first term at the head of county government. In the absence of real complaints about him, his tiffs with the Snohomish County Council attract the most attention.

Four years ago, we praised Reardon's policy skills but were skeptical about his ability to manage a fast-growing county. He has earned high marks for his performance. He eliminated deficits, shored up reserves and healed the county's anemic bond rating. A strong economy helped.

Reardon is a good fit for a county full of young families worried about parks and open space, and the dynamic tensions between land-use management and attainable, if not affordable, housing. Reardon has helped make Snohomish County open and welcoming to new employers. A lifelong county resident, he retains a sensitivity to opportunities for agriculture.

Reardon deserved a stiff challenge, but he has also earned his re-election the old-fashioned way: through hard, productive work.

In other races, term limits in Snohomish County are encouraging some unseemly job-hopping that ought to be discouraged, especially when name familiarity is likely to trump lesser-known but better-qualified candidates.

Exhibit A is the nonpartisan race for county treasurer. Jerry Lindsey, the treasury accounting manager for the past five years, is an able choice to follow his boss, County Treasurer Bob Dantini, who is forced out by term limits.

Lindsey is a certified public accountant, who, along with his degrees in business administration and accounting, brought nine years of experience in the Office of State Auditor to the county. He was hired to help modernize county financial operations and move them from paper to electronics. He knew the county well because he audited the county and local governments.

Lindsey's main obstacle is a household name in Snohomish County. County Councilman Kirke Sievers is being term-limited out of that position after 12 years, so he wants to be treasurer again, a job he held for more than two decades before he ran for council.

Election to county office is not a feudal right or hereditary privilege. Voters should thank Sievers for 33 years of service, and elect Jerry Lindsey the next county treasurer.