Originally published December 6, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified December 7, 2007 at 12:02 AM
Von Reichbauer favors nonpartisan county elections
Pete von Reichbauer, a Republican who was once a Democrat, doesn't want to wear either party's label when he runs for re-election to the...
Seattle Times staff reporter
Pete von Reichbauer, a Republican who was once a Democrat, doesn't want to wear either party's label when he runs for re-election to the Metropolitan King County Council.
Von Reichbauer, a King County Council member since 1994, is promoting an initiative and a county charter amendment to make the council, county executive and assessor nonpartisan offices.
"I believe it will make elected offices more accessible and I believe it will make elected offices more accountable," he said this week. If candidates don't have to pass political parties' "litmus tests," he said, elections will become more competitive.
He calls the county "a meat-and-potatoes government" delivering basic local services — and says there's no need to polarize those issues with party rivalry.
Von Reichbauer's chief of staff, Joe Fain, will manage the campaign to collect signatures of 52,817 voters to put the initiative on the ballot. If the initiative is either adopted as an ordinance by the County Council or approved by voters, the charter amendment then would go to voters.
Fain said he expects the initiative to go on the August 2008 primary ballot and the charter amendment on the November ballot.
The initiative has not yet been filed with the county clerk, but Fain said Citizens for Independent Government has raised $50,000.
The committee has reported to the state Public Disclosure Commission a $25,000 contribution from Issaquah developer George "Skip" Rowley, and says former wireless-industry executive John Stanton has given $25,000.
The charter amendment would make all county elective offices nonpartisan, except prosecuting attorney, which by state law is partisan. Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg promised during his campaign he would lobby the Legislature in its coming session to allow counties to elect prosecutors on a nonpartisan basis.
Von Reichbauer informed his fellow council members of the initiative in a letter Wednesday. "While I know this will be met with mixed feelings, I am confident that through our dialogue and debate on the issue you will see its merits," he wrote.
Civic organizations such as the Municipal League of King County and League of Women Voters and charter-review commissions appointed by the council have long advocated nonpartisan elections.
The County Council has refused each time to let voters decide the question, even though former Democratic councilmembers Greg Nickels, now Seattle mayor, and Dwight Pelz, now state Democratic Party chairman, each proposed nonpartisan elections.
![]()
Von Reichbauer proposed a charter amendment to the council in April, but it has languished in committee.
Despite his upbeat letter to his colleagues, he says he expects both parties to oppose the initiative: "I actually dread the reaction."
Julia Patterson, D-SeaTac, who as chairwoman of the council committee-of-the-whole didn't bring his earlier proposal up for a vote, says she has an open mind and wants to see what the current Charter Review Commission recommends.
Keith Ervin: 206-464-2105 or kervin@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
NEW - 12:56 AM
Arson suspect has long history of setting fires
NEW - 01:27 AM
Band of advocates, activists now McGinn's likely insiders
Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
NEW - 01:26 AM
Kirkland annex 'yes' could be slipping away
Licata looks at boosting traffic-ticket revenue

Opening day at Crystal Mountain
Skiers crowded the slopes at Crystal Mountain for one of the resort's earliest openings.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Seattle U. Men's Hoops | Big recruit goes from Huskies to Redhawks
- Razor found in muffin an accident, 'mortified' baker says
- Mariners sign Jack Wilson to 2-year contract
- Suspect's family shaken by slaying of police officer
- Mountlake Terrace woman reports razor in muffin
- Ivar's undersea billboards a hoax devised as marketing ploy
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
628 - Seattle man to pack a pistol into community center to protest mayor's ban
180 - Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
177 - GOP clueless as families struggle with health care
158 - ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
125 - KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
125 - Mariners sign Jack Wilson to 2-year contract
110 - Prosecutor weighs death penalty in police slaying
103 - Wright State game thread
96 - Person of interest in custody in connection with Greenwood arsons
93
- Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- Ivar's undersea billboards a hoax devised as marketing ploy
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- Washington in race for federal education funds
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- Goodwill's Glitter Sale is Nov. 14-15
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Boeing: 787 fix is complete on first plane
- Seattle U. Men's Hoops | Big recruit goes from Huskies to Redhawks





