Everett
Everett is focus of primary for House seat in 38th

By Emily Heffter
Times Snohomish County bureau

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Everett is key for Democrats running in the 38th Legislative District primary. The two candidates for House Position 2 say the Everett Democrats anchor the historically Democratic district — and that's whom they have to sway.

Incumbent David Simpson and challenger Mike Sells are familiar with Everett. Simpson is a former city councilman and a Boeing customer engineer. Sells is a former U.S. history teacher and a labor leader who works for the Snohomish County Labor Council.

Both were nominated early this year by Democratic precinct-committee officers to fill the House seat left vacant by state Sen. Jean Berkey, D-Everett, who took Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon's place in the Senate in January.

The Republican-controlled Snohomish County Council voted along party lines to appoint Simpson to the seat. Council Democrats had wanted Sells to get it because he was the first choice of party leaders.

Snohomish County Councilman Dave Gossett said at the time that he believed council Republicans had chosen Simpson because they believed he was the weakest candidate. Republican councilmen countered that Simpson was the only candidate to have held elective office.

"They appointed the most qualified person," Simpson said.

Sells believes he has a better understanding of state issues because of his work with labor groups. For example, he helped negotiate a deal last year between state and local groups and the Boeing Machinists union to allow the construction of the Boeing pier in Mukilteo. The pier was a component in the incentives package used to persuade Boeing to build its new 7E7 airplane in Everett.

Mike Sells Age: 59 Residence: Everett Education: bachelor's degree in education with a history major, Central Washington University; fifth-year teacher certification, University of Washington. Work: executive secretary, Snohomish County Labor Council David Simpson Age: 48 Residence: Everett Education: bachelor's degree in history from the University of Washington Work: Boeing customer engineer

Simpson cited his experience with local issues, including his stint on the Everett Planning Commission. He was on the Everett City Council between 1997 and 2001 but has since lost two elections, most recently in 2003, when he lost to Doug Campbell by about 500 votes.

Both candidates said improving education and making health care more affordable are among their priorities. Simpson wants to help obtain money to fund clinics for people without insurance. Sells wants the state to buy popular prescription drugs in bulk.

Emily Heffter: 425-783-0624 or eheffter@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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