Last week, Gov. Jay Inslee appointed State Sen. Steve Hobbs, a Lake Stevens Democrat, to be Secretary of State, a role which oversees statewide elections and other tasks.
The local legislator is taking over for Secretary of State Kim Wyman, a Republican who in October was appointed to a federal position monitoring election security under the Biden Administration.
His first day is Nov. 22.
Hobbs is considered a centrist Democrat. In the Senate, he led the Senate Transportation Committee.
Last year, Hobbs took a second role of overseeing COVID-19 good public supply chain and benefit support efforts with the Washington National Guard while also serving in the Legislature. Hobbs is a lieutenant colonel in the state National Guard
Even though Wyman is a Republican, Inslee was not obligated to select a Republican to replace her. Republicans have been elected to the Secretary of State office since the mid-1960s, under Sam Reed, Ralph Munro, Bruce Chapman and Lud Kramer. Kramer defeated Democrat Vic Meyers for the statewide seat with 54% of the vote.
Local vacancy
Hobbs’ vacant seat in the Senate will go through an appointment process.
Precinct officers in the local Democratic Party will nominate three candidates for the seat to the County Council for the council to decide.
State Rep. John Lovick is interested in the State Senate position. Lovick has phoned at least one of the precinct officers from the City of Snohomish to pitch himself for the seat, that precinct officer shared on social media.
Whoever is selected will stand for election in 2022. Hobbs, too, would stand for election as Secretary of State in 2022.
The Secretary of State’s office oversees fair elections, processes corporation licenses and more.
“Steve is a dedicated public servant. He has a strong national security perspective from his work in the Army and National Guard. His experience in cyber-security will be crucial as election systems around the country continue to face threats,” Inslee said in a press release.
Inslee also said in prepared remarks that “Steve has demonstrated political independence. That is crucial during this time of political polarization and distrust. He is a moderate who has worked effectively with people of all political perspectives. He is not afraid to challenge both Democrats and Republicans. Steve has worked to protect democracy and will continue that noble pursuit as Secretary of State.”
