As John Lovick and Dave Somers duel for Snohomish County executive, each would do well to reach out to Republican voters as if the outcome depended on them.
Because it probably does.
With no Republican on the ballot, those in the Grand Old Party must decide if they will cast a ballot in this race, and if so, for which of the two Democratic candidates.
Certainly there will be GOP voters who can’t stomach the idea of drawing a line next to the name of Lovick, the current county executive, or Somers, the chairman of the County Council, due to their party affiliation.
But it’s reasonable to expect Republican voters will take part and account for at least a third of the turnout in November’s general election. That could add up to 60,000 votes or even more, which is way too many to ignore.
Lovick and Somers understand the dynamics. Each is working to secure GOP votes.
In Lovick’s case, he intends to focus his campaign message on what’s going right in the county, talking up the byproducts of a growing economy such as low unemployment and rising home values.
Lovick’s approach – and challenge – will be to convince Republicans he will be the one who acts with greater fiscal restraint and pushes harder for measures to protect public safety.
The proposed budget he unveiled Wednesday touched on those themes. In it, he seeks to cut taxes and boost reserves while expanding some human services and criminal justice programs.
What Lovick doesn’t want to do is make a big deal that he’s the incumbent and the Democratic Party’s chosen one who’s endorsed by Gov. Jay Inslee, U.S. Reps. Rick Larsen and Suzan DelBene, and pretty much the entire tribe of Democratic officeholders in Snohomish County.
While those are facts Lovick definitely wants Democratic voters to know by the time ballots arrive, he’s hoping the voters he’s courting in the GOP never find out.
Somers also plans to tailor his campaign message to incorporate themes important to Republicans such as a commitment to better managing county government and responsible spending of tax dollars.
Not being the incumbent or wearing the official party collar may prove the biggest plus in his pursuit.
Already Somers has done a better job corralling public and private support of familiar names in the county GOP.
He is backed by Carolyn Eslick, the Republican mayor of Sultan who lost to Lovick in the 2014 election. Former Snohomish County Sheriff Rick Bart is on board as well.
Somers said he is backed by one primary opponent, conservative Republican Norm Nunnally. And he’s been trying for another, Robert Sutherland, who received 25,033 votes enroute to finishing third in the August primary.
And Somers has received roughly $18,000 in campaign contributions from GOP stalwart Hank Robinett, his lawyer son, Marty, and their network of family members and businesses. They’ve backed Somers in his last couple elections which could impress Republicans as much as it may offend Democrats.
But inasmuch as Democratic voters may not be the ones deciding this race, it may not matter.
Political reporter Jerry Cornfield’s blog, The Petri Dish, is at www.heraldnet.com. Contact him at 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com and on Twitter at @dospueblos
