Interim County Executive Kurt Triplett was unanimously appointed today by the Metropolitan King County Council to serve as King County Executive.
Triplett, a resident of the North Beach neighborhood, will serve until the results of the November general election for county executive are certified.
"This government faces extraordinary challenges regarding the budget and public health and safety in the next six months," said Triplett in a recently released statement. " I believe the continuity in governing that I bring to the office as executive Sims’ chief of staff for the last five years will be a benefit to the people of King County.
"The staff and the regional relationships are in place and the team is knowledgeable and already at work. I pledge an open, collaborative relationship with our regional partners, our council and our citizens as we tackle the tough issues and deliver a sound budget and a well-functioning government to the executive that is elected in November."
The other candidates were former county council member Steve Hammond, former county council member Louise Miller and former Seattle Mayor Charles Royer. All the candidates had agreed not to run for the position in the fall.
“We had an impressive group of nominees and the council was faced with a difficult choice,” said council chair Dow Constantine. “I am confident Mr. Triplett will be able to capably lead us through this time of transition.”
Triplett will be formally sworn into office as soon as tomorrow, May 19. He will serve as King County Executive until the results of the November general election are certified in late November.
“With the 2010 budget in the process of being written and many other extraordinary challenges confronting us, we need an interim Executive who knows the day-to-day operations of King County,” said council member Larry Phillips. “We need stability now in preparation for the new direction that will come when voters make their decision this November.”
The appointment of Triplett is the culmination of a selection process that began April 6 when the council adopted legislation to establish the blue-ribbon selection process. Former county Executive Ron Sims has been confirmed as deputy secretary for the Department of Housing and Urban Development.