[Editor's Note. It's atypical for a local political contest: There are several highly-qualified candidates duking it out in a primary. In this year's race for King County Executive to replace Ron Sims, Democratic voters have a tough choice to make between two longtime King County Council Members, a Statehouse Rep., and a Statehouse Senator. 

It is not a partisan primary.  It's a Top-Two.  (The general election is also non-partisan—nominally anyway). But still,  conventional wisdom has it that only one of these four top-notch Democratic candidates will make it through the primary to face off against the fifth candidate in the race—well-known TV personality Susan Hutchison. Hutchison is a Republican .

Given the dilemma for Democratic voters—who to pick among their own ranks—PubliCola has asked each campaign to submit an opinion piece from a prominent local Democrat who's in their candidate's corner.

Previously in this mini-series, we ran a piece by former state Democratic Party chair Paul Berendt in support of Rep. Ross Hunter and a piece by State Rep. Judy Clibborn (D-41, Mercer Ilsand) in support of  Sen. Fred Jarrett.

Today, we're running a piece by longtime Seattle Urban League president James Kelly. 

Special Note: While James Kelly has an impressive bio , I was explicit with the Phillips' campaign about the the conceit of the series—I wanted a big D Democrat (like, for example former Democratic party chair Berendt and Democratic Rep. Clibborn) to underscore the theme of these editorials, namely that Democrats were struggling with the choice between four highly-qualified D candidates. 

From the sound of his editorial, it's seems clear that Kelly is a Democrat, but he's not hyper-identified with Democratic Party politics. 

In my opinion, this editorial doesn't fit the bill, and I've told the Phillips campaign that.]

 

Why Larry Phillips has my vote

By James Kelly 

Larry Phillips knows this place like the back of his hand. He lives and breathes King County. The guy’s got backbone – something you don’t see a lot of in government these days. 

Budget priorities? In times of cuts, he’s the first guy standing up for public health and social justice.

Public safety? He voted to protect the Sheriff’s deputies from budgets cuts (but he also was the only one to vote against their 30 percent pay raise during this recession, so he’s fiscally responsible too).

Juvenile justice? Our family court facility is a pig’s sty. Others just turned away, after all these are bad kids right? Not Larry. He brought the TV cameras up there to expose the blight.

Environmental protection? The guy hasn’t seen a piece of open space he hasn’t tried to save.

Democratic credentials? Remember that close election for governor in 2004? Larry was the guy that discovered his vote had not been counted, called the elections director on a Saturday night and started the most comprehensive vote recount in the country’s history. Personal threats to him included. 

This is the first real race for King County Executive in decades – and we have four pretty strong Democratic contenders. What worries me is that Susan Hutchinson, the Republican in the race, is almost assuredly going into the run-off. With 35 percent or so of the county identified as Republican, seems she might even be the top vote-getter.  

That’s why we need a proven Democrat that understands King County. These times aren’t for the faint of heart, or on-the-job training, or the “Me, too” form of leadership.  

I never considered anyone but Larry. Nice guy. Upfront and direct. Cool dad. Sports nut (nobody better when it comes to basketball facts). Been all over the place in this county and has the supporters to prove it. 

Democrats are about building a big tent and then listening to those holding up the corner stakes. 

Larry has managed to build that tent: he’s already got eight unions aboard, some of the biggest names in the environmental movement, communities of color, women leaders and mayors and city council members from Black Diamond, Issaquah, Enumclaw and Maple Valley.  

Some would have you believe this election is about zip codes – whether you live in Seattle or not – but I don’t buy it for a second. I live in Renton, and like other voters, I care about whom the candidates are, what they have done, and if they understand the challenges I face. Larry does. He’s gone to the mat for things I believe make King County a better place – projects that help prevent youth violence and intervene in the lives of those with substance abuse problems. 

Larry gets it. He’s a trusted friend to people all across King County. His steady leadership will help get King County out of this recession, and he won’t forget about those literally hanging on for dear life.  

That’s why Larry Phillips has my vote for King County Executive.