Washblog || Is Ferguson Really the Democrats' Anointed Candidate to Succeed Maleng?

Is Ferguson Really the Democrats' Anointed Candidate to Succeed Maleng?

By noemie maxwell
Sun Jun 03, 2007 at 10:23:40 PM PST
Section: King County Topic: Election news/info

[Update: 6/7/07: A Seattle Times story has just appeared reporting Bob Ferguson's decision to not run.]

A recent Seattle Post Intelligencer article characterized Bob Ferguson as the Democratic party's 'anointed candidate' to run for the King County Prosecuting Attorney position that opened up following Norm Maleng's recent death. But I heard a different assessment tonight when I spoke with Jeff Smith, former executive director of the Washington State Democratic Party.

Smith said that he and Karen Marchioro, Democratic National Committee member and past Chair of the state party, have been actively searching for Democratic candidates for the position. We've been calling prominent King County attorneys and activists in minority communities to find potential candidates, he said. And several have indicated serious interest. According to Smith, there is a widespread feeling in the county Democratic Party that Ferguson is not electable. He and Marchioro have called "many" Democratic party leaders from throughout King County during the past week, especially in Seattle, he said, and there is strong feeling that Ferguson has "insuperable" problems as a candidate for this position. What do you mean by "many" leaders, I asked. Oh, maybe a dozen, Smith clarified.

Smith indicated that he shares the opinion that Ferguson has electability problems. Two issues, widely reported in recent days, stand out on first glance. It's not a "deal breaker", Smith said, that Ferguson has let his membership in the Washington State Bar Association become inactive. He can reinstate by paying fees and making up continuing education credits. "But maybe that doesn't make him look exceptionally current as a practicing attorney," I offered. Right, Smith said. Probably even more serious, he said, is the fact that Ferguson did not file a public disclosure report for a fundraiser he held last September. 'Would you let that go if a Republican were running for this position?'

Smith didn't offer up names of potential candidates. But, we'll know very soon, as the filing period opens Monday, June 4, and closes this Friday, June 8.

Maleng died at the start of a new term, which expires in 2010. His former chief of staff, Dan Satterberg is now serving as the immediate interim Prosecuting Attorney until the County Council chooses one of three candidates supplied by the Republican Party to serve until the successor is elected in November. Bob Ferguson and Mark Sidran have both indicated that they may run on the Democratic ticket. Several other potential candidates, including Seattle attorney Jenny Durkan, have been mentioned as possibilities. None of these candidates have officially declared.

The timeline on this is so tight, Smith noted, that neither Democrats nor Republicans have had time to plan. And potential candidates have had almost no time to think about what it might take to put together a campaign.

Bob Ferguson was the candidate who unseated Democratic Councilwoman Cynthia Sullivan in 2003 and then ousted Carolyn Edmonds from the County Council in 2005. He challenged Edmonds after his position was eliminated by an intiative that he supported which downsized the county council. The comments section of this Evergreen Politics post, Congratulations Bob Ferguson, contain an interesting discussion about whether Ferguson, in light of his support for this initiative, can be considered a progressive.

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Is Ferguson Really the Democrats' Anointed Candidate to Succeed Maleng? | 29 comments (29 topical)

Who cares if he's "progressive" or not?

Enough, already, with this "progressive" shit. I am so sick of these fraudulent, ill-conceived, buzz-word ideological litmus tests.

We have a vacancy for an important position here. Ferguson has not practiced law. He has not been in the legal system. He is UNQUALIFIED to be the King county prosecutor. THAT is the important thing here.

At some point, qualifications for the job have to have something to do with our political choices. If Ferguson was running against Norm Maleng, would anybody think he was the better candidate?

If perception is reality, then the world must be flat and the sun must revolve around it.

by ivan on Mon Jun 04, 2007 at 08:52:18 AM PST

* 1 none 0 *

Gee Ivan, I'm surprised by The Left Shue, 06/04/2007 09:04:18 AM PST (none / 0)

Ferguson = Reardon by ivan, 06/04/2007 09:20:42 AM PST (none / 0)

I'd prefer candidates with good qualifications by noemie maxwell, 06/04/2007 11:49:03 AM PST (none / 0)
Policy by zappini, 06/05/2007 08:22:11 AM PST (none / 0)
That's fine Ivan bacause some of us by Pen, 06/06/2007 10:16:50 AM PST (none / 0)

I make you sick? Take a pill, then by ivan, 06/06/2007 11:15:16 AM PST (none / 0)

Progressivism by zappini, 06/07/2007 03:16:00 PM PST (none / 0)
You don't have a clue what I can tell you Ivan by Pen, 06/07/2007 06:04:35 PM PST (none / 0)

If Washington sucks so bad.... by willisreed, 06/07/2007 07:04:52 PM PST (none / 0)
Couple points here by ivan, 06/07/2007 10:32:46 PM PST (none / 0)

Near as I can tell, a "progressive" is by gibney, 06/06/2007 01:39:29 PM PST (none / 0)

sometimes... by N in Seattle, 06/06/2007 03:19:00 PM PST (none / 0)

Pie Fight by zappini, 06/07/2007 03:19:12 PM PST (none / 0)

Progressive v liberal by noemie maxwell, 06/06/2007 03:46:37 PM PST (none / 0)

Good Question

The party machinery are slow to support Ferguson regardless of his qualifications. He did his own thing in running against much liked Carrolyn Edmonds. Still, they may be right that he could not win the general. Far many, voting for prosecutor is like voting for judge and they will cross party lines on the issue of court room experience.
Sidran would not loose in that evaluation in the general but Ferguson could win the primary in a Sidran match up.
Satterberg was on the canvassing board in the KC Governors recount where I watched him up close and all I can say is, he is no Norm Maling.

by Particle Man on Mon Jun 04, 2007 at 08:55:18 AM PST

* 2 none 0 *

One thing is clear by sugarfree, 06/12/2007 09:57:22 AM PST (none / 0)

I love the "electable" whisper

campaigns.

Yo Jeff and Karen - come on, "electable" got us Dukakis and Kerry and Gore for f$$$s sake.

With the right amount of money, the right amount of spin, and the right amount of dumb luck,

ANY F$$$ING BODY IS ELECTABLE

See Cantwell 2006 on our side ... and ... drum roll please ... the 2 certifiable morons of the last 30 years, RayGun and BushII.

It sounds from what I've skimmed here that there would be people who'd be a lot more qualified than a guy who isn't a member of the bar to be

Prosecuting Attorney!

Oh, and by the way ... after what Maleng did about the scumbag ridgeway, I gladly voted for Maleng.

We gonna anybody with any freaking integrity, or just some freaking hack looking for big name exposure until s/he can run for governor / senator?

IF they ain't gonna have integrity, can they at least be NOT another Little Bunny Washington Spineless Dem? Someone who will go full tilt after Rove's local criminals?

rmm.

http://www.liemail.com/BambooGrassroots.html

by rmdSeaBos on Mon Jun 04, 2007 at 04:37:24 PM PST

* 6 none 0 *

So, and, um, the point is, oi vey

So what will it frickin' take to get a Democratic dream candidate for any given position, provide them the support they need through their YD years, get them support and experience in campaigns, and then get them a hell of a campaign for their run for that dream position?

What's it going to take? When are we going to step up to the plate? I can't do anything myself, or at least I don't think I can. Prove me wrong.

Give us a name for a Democratic candidate for County Prosecutor with experience in law, experience in prosecution, support from the Democratic leadership, and a great plan for what they would do with the office. Give us the name for who the next contestant on "Shred the Democrat" is going to be.

Are we having fun yet?

by chadlupkes on Mon Jun 04, 2007 at 04:41:51 PM PST

* 7 none 0 *

Shred the Democrat vs discussing qualifications by noemie maxwell, 06/04/2007 05:27:25 PM PST (none / 0)
What's open in your area this year or by gibney, 06/04/2007 05:50:27 PM PST (none / 0)

The curse of a strong mayor city by chadlupkes, 06/05/2007 05:28:39 PM PST (none / 0)

Deputy Mayor is appointed by the Mayor by willisreed, 06/05/2007 06:14:39 PM PST (none / 0)

Hammer? by butseriouslyfolks, 06/05/2007 06:36:59 PM PST (none / 0)

Tim Ceis is whatever Tim Ceis wants to be (eom) by willisreed, 06/05/2007 08:34:44 PM PST (none / 0)

Step Ladder

I like Bob Ferguson. More or less. Aside from the Executive and Council's enthusiasm for undermining election integrity, I think I'm content. They're good, solid moderates.

One concern I have is longevity in the position. I see Ferguson moving on to bigger and greater things, which I'll probably support. After corruption busting, I consider Maleng's second virtue is how long he served in that role (by default or by design).

by zappini on Tue Jun 05, 2007 at 08:38:38 AM PST

* 11 none 0 *

King Co. Prosecutor by butseriouslyfolks, 06/05/2007 04:41:49 PM PST (none / 0)

This piece reprinted in Federal Way Mirror

Democrats need an electable successor to Maleng, Federal Way Mirror, June 6, 07.

by noemie maxwell on Thu Jun 07, 2007 at 09:27:04 AM PST

* 22 none 0 *

Congrats, good job. n/t by gibney, 06/07/2007 09:37:39 AM PST (none / 0)

Is Ferguson Really the Democrats' Anointed Candidate to Succeed Maleng? | 29 comments (29 topical)

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