Sullivan Drops Out Of Race For King County Executive

Wed., Nov. 13, 1996

Associated Press

Metropolitan King County Councilwoman Cynthia Sullivan has dropped out of the race for county executive and endorsed council colleague Ron Sims for the job.

Last week, Sims and Sullivan sparred over which of them really was favored by about 1,000 Democratic precinct committee officers who will nominate a successor to Gary Locke at a Dec. 14 meeting. Locke, a Democrat, was elected governor and it’s his party’s duty to name a replacement.

Sullivan said Monday that she quit the race because it was becoming clear her fight with Sims for the appointment could turn ugly.

“I figured I could win, but I just didn’t like what I would have to do to get there,” Sullivan said. “I’d have to go negative on a good friend.”

Also in the race is County Councilman Greg Nickels. “One down, one to go,” Nickels quipped upon hearing of Sullivan’s decision.

The candidate who gets the nod from the King County Democratic Party organization must be confirmed as executive by the County Council and then face election in 1997.

Sullivan said last week that she potentially could be lured away from the executive contest by a job offer from Locke or the Clinton administration.

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