Dembowski to take two challengers during Aug. 6 primary | Vote 2013
Published 12:02 pm Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Rod Dembowski was appointed to represent King County Council District 1 during February following the election of Bob Ferguson as Washington state attorney general. Dembowski was chosen by the council and will now face the voters.
He will face two challengers, Naomi Wilson and John Fray, during the Aug. 6 primary. The top two vote getters will advance to the general election in November for the right to represent Bothell, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park and Shoreline, along with areas in Woodinville, Kirkland and northeast Seattle on the council. The district has a combined population of 214,883.
Dembowski is a former Foster Pepper PLLC lawyer and also served as a policy analyst for the King County executive prior to beating out 17 other candidates for the council position.
After being named to the council, Dembowski became the chair of the Regional Transportation Committee. He names the economy, infrastructure, environment, human services and the justice system as his priorities.
“King County can and should play a leading role in promoting and facilitating a strong and growing regional economy,” said Dembowski. “We should support traditional industries that provide the backbone of our economic success (e.g. aerospace, hospitality and tourism, and international trade), as well as new economy technology, bio-technology, life science and clean-technology industries.”
Wilson has worked in the health care field for a decade, managing Center for Disease Control-funded research centers to federal and state budgets with the University of Washington and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
She said her experience with the heath care field would be invaluable with the implementation of the Affordable Healthcare Act.
“What we need are more people – not just public health professionals, but all leaders to learn what this act is going to do to make us all healthier, better protected against diseases, and covered for those times when having health services is a life and death matter,” said Wilson. “The enrollment that starts this fall is going to require time, educating the public – especially those who are not now covered – and patience.”
But her experience goes beyond the health care field.
“I have served on numerous boards and committees, from low-income housing advocacy and technology, to bicycle/transit issues and community development,” said Wilson, who is a second generation Korean-American.
Fray is a newcomer to politics and is currently self-employed in the financial services industry. He and his family have lived in Shoreline for more than a decade.
He said that with the election of Ferguson, and Councilwoman Julia Patterson stepping down, the council needs new leadership.
“That leaves something of a leadership vacuum,” said Fray. “I’d like to be one of the council members to fill that vacuum.”
His biggest focus is on veterans affairs and the environment, but believes that the government’s focus should be on public safety. He said that he also wants to improve the council’s transparency and communication with residents.
Fray said he is also extremely interested in the county budget and his accounting background would be valuable. But he has taken a different approach to fundraising for his campaign.
“I’m a politician without a purse,” said Fray. “I don’t believe it’s right to ask others to finance a campaign.”
There are distinct advantages for an incumbent in any race. Dembowski raised $70,000 during the selection process last winter and that total has increased to $118,000, with just $28,000 spent, according to the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission. Wilson has raised nearly $4,600, while Fray has yet to raise any money, according to commission records.
For more information
• Rod Dembowski, www.Vote4Rod.com
• Naomi Wilson, www.wilson4kcc.com
• John Fray, www.electjohnfray.com
