Vote for me!

After reading The Times endorsement of Susan Hutchison for King County executive [“Susan Hutchison for KC executive,” Opinion, Oct. 18], I am sorry that I did not mount a campaign to make myself the next King County executive.

Apparently, the main criterion for a candidate is the total lack of experience in running a large, complex public entity.

That’s me!

Like Hutchison, I am ignorant on how to manage King County’s extensive public services within a tight budget. Like her, I am an outsider.

I urge Seattle Times readers to write in my name on their ballots.

— Anne Thureson, Renton

Questioning validity of editorial

The Times sees Susan Hutchison as a change agent without listing a single achievement or reform in her career that she has shown leadership on.

Further, the endorsement actually praises her opponent — the very qualified Dow Constantine — for actual accomplishments and for an ability to be a major asset to the King County executive.

Constantine has a record of fighting for issues of social justice, transportation and the environment, among many others, that directly relate to the position’s responsibilities. It’s fair to discuss the budget issues under his leadership, but incredibly shortsighted to do so without placing them in the context of the worst national recession in nearly eight decades, which directly impacts all of us.

The only issue The Times believes Hutchison might lead on is making it more difficult for regular, working-class people to have access to health care and benefits, given her status as a former union member. This is disingenuous at best. As a high-paid television journalist, Hutchison likely enjoyed a salary far greater than the vast majority of union members, and probably could not relate to them.

Hutchison has rarely demonstrated an ability to grasp the issues off the cuff, let alone lead on them, and her campaign reflects this: Frequently deflecting tough questions on issues, skipping debates, giving vague, generic answers to specific questions.

Her questionable conduct and behavior stemming from her lawsuit with KIRO — and her attempt to block The Seattle Times itself from presenting these public documents to county citizens — is more than enough reason to vote against her, and another reason to question the validity of The Times endorsement.

— Paul West, Seattle

As wonky as Al Gore

Susan Hutchison doesn’t have the depth of experience needed to run an organization as large and complex as King County government.

King County is facing a dire financial situation, and we need a leader with a lot more than just fundraising experience. We need someone in charge who understands the economic and political realities within which change must be made.

Hutchison doesn’t have the credentials needed to take on this challenge, and her willingness to open up union contracts to renegotiate benefits is a clear indication of her naiveté.

The next executive will have to pick battles carefully, placing King County resources where they will do the most good. We can’t afford an executive who will be learning on the job.

Dow Constantine has a broad understanding of the complex challenges facing county government, he uses performance measures to evaluate departmental effectiveness, and he has called for structural changes when needed such as elections, animal control.

The Times describes Constantine as someone who is quiet, wonky and obviously cares deeply about King County.

Reminds me a bit of Al Gore, and we could use a policy wonk about now.

— Leslie Collins, Seattle