State Sen. Fred Jarrett seeks King County executive job

State Sen. Fred Jarrett, the Mercer Island lawmaker who abandoned the Republican Party two years ago to become a Democrat, said Monday he is entering the race to succeed Ron Sims as King County executive.

Jarrett, who had e-mailed supporters recently to let them know he was considering a candidacy, said he was filing officially with the state Public Disclosure Commission.

In an interview, he touted himself as an alternative to the other declared candidates, Larry Phillips and Dow Constantine, both Metropolitan King County Council members and Seattle Democrats.

"King County is very challenged, and I think it's time to have somebody from outside of the organization with fresh vision," said Jarrett, who works as a project manager for Boeing.

Jarrett said he will focus his campaign on a "back to basics" message.

"What I am suggesting is you have to do the basics well and not set expectations beyond what you can deliver on," he said. "It's nice that the county wants to get into foot ferries. But it's more important that the courts work."

After four terms in the state House, Jarrett was elected to the state Senate in November.

He represents the 41st Legislative District, which includes Mercer Island, Newcastle and parts of Renton, Issaquah and Bellevue.

Initially elected as a Republican, Jarrett switched parties in 2007, arguing the GOP was no longer welcoming to pro-choice moderates like himself.

Jarrett's campaign will start at a disadvantage when it comes to fundraising. Ethics laws forbid legislators from accepting campaign donations while the Legislature is in session.

Because of that, Jarrett said he'll leave open the option of bowing out of the race if it turns out he can't mount a viable candidacy.

Another suburban legislator, state Rep. Ross Hunter, D-Medina, is also considering joining the race. Hunter said Monday he would not make a decision until the legislative session ends.

The executive's race was thrown open last month with the announcement that Sims had been nominated by President Obama as deputy secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Sims remains in office pending Senate confirmation.

County Council members have proposed a blue-ribbon commission to recommend candidates to fill in as county executive for the rest of the year.

Jim Brunner: 206-515-5628 or jbrunner@seattletimes.com