Larry Phillips says he is studying whether he should take on three-term County Executive Ron Sims in next years' election.

"Lately it seems that every place I go I am asked the same question, 'Larry, you are running for King County executive, aren't you?' Phillips said in an e-mail to supporters and the news media. "Whether it's a small business owner, a Democratic precinct committee officer, a county employee, a teacher, or a doctor in a public health clinic, they all want to know if I will run for the County's top post."

He, serving his fifth term, said he is responding by forming an exploratory committee to consider running.

"This committee will provide me with an organized structure to not just talk with citizens, but to hear what they have to say about how King County can best serve their needs," Phillips said.

Phillips, a resident of Magnolia and the county council member for the Ballard area, is a Democrat, as is Sims. But the new top two election system makes "plenty of room for two from the same party to run," he said.

"Running for county executive is a big undertaking and one I do not take lightly," he said in his e-mail. "I have a deep respect for the incumbent, as he's done many good things in King County, and I realize that it's hard to move on. But 13 years in office - with an unprecedented fourth term on the horizon - is a long time. The times are changing, the problems are changing, and too often they are left unattended and without effective executive leadership."

Phillips has often criticized Sims, most recently over an impending King County budget shortfall that may cause cuts of Sheriff's officers, cause the county prosecutor to not take many cases and make other cuts in county services. Phillips has said this budget deficit should was long known and Sims should have taken action to head of the current crisis.

"There are county concerns that have turned to problems and then to crises," he said last week. "Transportation, light rail, computer systems, animal control and now the budget. Police coverage, basic public health, jail services - you name it, it needs focused attention."

He is taking a step that many seeking higher office take, forming a committee but remaining a non-candidate.

"So to all of those who have asked me to run, I say, let's see how broad a team we can build in the coming months," he said. "And once the will is there and we're an established force to contend with, we'll take the next steps."

Jack Mayne may be reached at jmayne@robinsonnews.com