SEATTLE – Dow Constantine will be the next King County Executive, after opponent Susan Hutchison conceded the race Wednesday evening,
"Because the new Executive has only a few weeks until taking office, I want him to be able to move forward quickly to accomplish an orderly transition," said Hutchison in a press release. "I encourage Dow Constantine to reach out to all our voters in the county, setting aside divisive politics to solve the complex problems before us."
Constantine's campaign manager told KING 5 News that Hutchison called Constantine and that the two had a "short but cordial chat."
The concession comes as new numbers from King County show Constantine widening his lead over Hutchison, 58 percent to 42 percent.
Hours before the concession, Constantine, appearing on KING 5 Morning News, said he will name his transition team by Thursday.
"In addition to addressing head-on flood, flu and getting this budget balanced by the third week of November, we're taking on a reform agenda that's going to put King County on sound financial footing, provide for our economic recovery and bring a new spirit of service and customer service ethic to King County," Constantine said. "I'm putting together a transition team that's going to push that agenda forward. And, that team will be announced tomorrow."
Constantine, who has been in elected office since 1997, has served on the King County Council since 2002 and is currently the council chair. He positioned himself as the experienced candidate who has the knowledge of county government to make the tough choices during the economic crisis.
When asked where he would start making cuts to balance the budget, Constantine said it would first come from the administration.
"I called for a ten percent cut to the Council and a 15 percent to the Executive. That means a lot of reduced positions, that means I'll be hiring fewer people than the last executive had to help him carry out his agenda," Constantine said during his KING5 appearance. "And, that's fine. I think we have the talent to be able to move forward with fewer folks but with more focus."
Constantine said he believes the county can keep front line services alive without raising taxes.
oldreliable said on November 4, 2009 at 12:38 PM
I didnt like either candiate .... but Dow getting the abortion thing ... shows he a win at all cost POS ..... another 4 years of foolishness and nonsense ... glad I move out of King Socialist County ....
rick3 said on November 4, 2009 at 5:13 PM
It is so unfortunate that the liberal voters in metro Seattle don't see what an incompetent and disingenuous POS Constantine really is. It will be the same lying, distraction and distortion that was used to in his campaign. He refused to present solutions in the campaign because his only solution is to raise taxes. BOHICA because Constantine WILL RAISE TAXES. He created the budget deficit and he will perpetuate and escalate it. We are moving out of King County as soon as my last child finished high school. I am sick of the liberal corrupt politics that steals elections with ballot stuffing and then steals our money with pocket stuffing. So Seattle you deserve exactly what you got. Another microcephalic Executive just like Sims. You deserve it so suck it up. Maybe one day when you are at the food bank it will dawn on you liberal cretins that Democrats like Constantine really are the problem.
pixelater said on November 4, 2009 at 6:49 PM
Once again Seattle steals a county wide vote. It is about time to make Seattle a county onto itself, and let them suffer the consequences.
factoid said on November 4, 2009 at 7:12 PM
Thank you Susan Hutchison for giving it a shot. I was full of hope in the beginning, but in Seattle and King County I also knew it was a long shot. I think Mr. Constantine will basically carry Ron Sims's agenda, with a few of his own liberal ideas. pixelater: Great idea, you probably know about the fall of Cedar County from a few years ago, thanks to Sam Reed. rick3: I envy you for being able to move out of here. I own a business here, so I can't go anywhere until I retire.
marcus49 said on November 4, 2009 at 9:24 PM
well I sure thought a couple of weeks ago that King co was on the track to getting out of the rut. Boy, was I mistaken. I didn't hear the last week or so of the campaign. What did Dow offer the voters of King co? More of the same? I've never seen anything like it, you all complain but then turn around and vote in the same people that are screwing you over! You all should have been suspicious voting for a man named after a chemical company.
bangalore said on November 5, 2009 at 9:20 AM
oldreliable, We're pretty glad you don't live here too!
vickdichselbst said on November 5, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Maybe Hutchison's campaign would have been more successful if she had been more forthright in disclosing her conservative political affiliations instead of her half-baked attempt to pose as a moderate. Her thinly-veiled effort to deceive voters as to her true alliances was readily apparent. Liars are losers.
thombo said on November 9, 2009 at 3:31 PM
Dow ran as a Democrat and Susan ran as not a Republican. And the winner is Dow. This is a voting Democrat that wants to thank Susan for giving it a shot.