King County Council chairman Dow Constantine, a West Seattle native, has announced that he will be running against fellow council member Larry Phillips for King County Executive.

“I spent two weeks talking to family, friends and advisors to see if it was the right time to run,” said Constantine. “I announced my candidacy on Monday (Feb. 16) and it’s very exciting. It was two weeks to the day Ron Sims was asked to serve in the Obama administration.”

Former executive Ron Sims was nominated on Feb. 2 to serve as deputy secretary at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, although he will not resign as executive until his appointment is confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

As he announced his campaign Constantine said: “At this historic moment of change for our nation, this county – 156 years old and still growing – needs to hit the ‘reset’ button. We need renewal. Now is the moment to clear away the debris of that which is no longer working, perfect that which is, and build an efficient, effective, 21st-century government for our nearly two million citizens here at home.”

Constantine was appointed to the county council in 2002 and has been re-elected three times. Previously, he served as a state legislator and state senator.

Constantine said his record shows his willingness to jump into the toughest issues.

“I’m not going out of my way to pick fights,” Constantine said. “ I like working collaboratively that’s what King County needs. We’re in an economic reality, people need to realize it.”

The council member said he will be focusing on convening regional conversations about who provides what service and how it will get paid for along with proposing and passing legislation to require every department to provide a mission and goals.

While both Phillips and Constantine are Democrats, the position of executive will become a nonpartisan office this year according to a county charter change passed by voters in November.

Phillips grew up and raised his family in Seattle and represented the 4th District on the King County Council.

“One of the things I learned in talking with the community was that they are looking for a very focused effort in county government,” Phillips said. “During this difficult time they are looking for a stable and efficient government that delivers basic government. I’m focusing on that.”

Phillips said he has a long record of making difficult decisions, meeting tough challenges and solving problems as a staffer, a member of the King County Council and a legislator. Phillips said he will be focusing solely on the office of the King County Executive.

“People have used it (King County Executive) as a spring board for higher office, but I am only interested in this position and hope to continue to make this a great place to live,” Phillips said.

The primary is August 18. The general election is November 3.