King County Council's Phillips to run for county executive

Metropolitan King County Council member Larry Phillips, declaring the county has "lost the focus" it needs, announced this morning he is running for county executive.

"With your help, we are going to chart a new beginning for King County, a new start, a fresh start for the county we care about," Phillips told a roomful of family and friends, including former County Executive Randy Revelle, at the King County Labor Temple.

Phillips' candidacy puts him on a potential collision course with incumbent Ron Sims, a longtime political ally — if Sims runs for another term. The Obama administration has been considering Sims for a possible appointment, but Sims' office has denied a Web-based report last week that he had accepted a position.

Phillips, a former state representative and a county council member since 1992, drew sharp distinctions with Sims, particular over the Sound Transit light-rail program which Phillips has championed and Sims has backed away from.

Keith Ervin: 206-464-2105 or kervin@seattletimes.com