Former lawmaker joins assessor race

Former state Sen. Gene Lux filed Friday for King County assessor, making the no-primary election a five-way race.

Although he's sometimes been unhappy about assessments of his own property, Lux said Monday, "I think the people in the department are doing a hell of a job. My feeling would be that we give them all the continuing education and technical assistance they can use to make sure that we get fair and just assessments."

Lux is a Skyway-area fire commissioner, former Democratic state senator and representative, and former Group Health board member. At 83, he said he's not too old to serve, noting that U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, 79, of Pennsylvania, plans to run next year for another six-year term.

Also running to complete the two years remaining on the four-year term of former Assessor Scott Noble, who resigned after pleading guilty to felony assault, are appraiser Graham Albertini, accountant Bob Blanchard, Seattle Port Commissioner Lloyd Hara and appraiser Bob Rosenberger.