Tainted former Snohomish County Executive John Lovick evidently was not influenced by losing to a fellow Democrat last fall, and has announced his intention to run now for the state House of Representatives in the 44th District (Marysville and Lakewood). Democrat state Rep. Hans Dunshee is the current occupant of the seat, however he is leaving after this session to obtain a seat on the Snohomish County Council.
Lovick, who was first appointed County Executive to replace the ethically-challenged Aaron Reardon, ran for re-election but was defeated by Dave Somers last November.
Certainly, Lovick does not have an illustrious record to run on in 2016. On his watch, Snohomish County wasted $12 million on plans for a courthouse that may never happen. Additionally, Lovick’s administration—like so many previous Democrat administrations in Snohomish County—was defined by scandal.
One of the biggest scandals that tainted Lovick’s administration occurred when he granted handsome pay hikes to 16 high-ranking staff members without the County Council’s approval. The total pay raises, including benefits, amount to nearly $150,000. One of those 16 high-ranking staff members to benefit from Lovick’s generosity with taxpayers’ dollars was former Deputy Executive Mark Ericks who, at the time, faced accusations of threatening to kill members of the county council.
All in all, given his proven ability to waste taxpayer dollars, former state legislator Lovick would not find it difficult to fit right back in with Democrats in Olympia, if the voters of the 44th District make the mistake of electing him the fall.
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