Political shuffling in south Snohomish County

Councilmember Stephanie Wright
Councilmember Kimberly Cole

Update: Rep. Marko Liias has announced that will not seek the appointment to Mike Cooper’s seat on the Snohomish County Council. Instead, he has endorsed Lynnwood City Council  Vice President Stephanie Wright. He released the following statement on his website:

“I have known Stephanie for nearly a decade, and she is the right person for this important job. We need a county councilmember that can bring a collaborative spirit to the County Council, and Stephanie’s work in Lynnwood speaks to her strengths as a consensus-builder and leader.”

The story below has been updated accordingly.

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The appointment of Snohomish County Councilmember Mike Cooper to Edmonds mayor has triggered a series of political moves that affect Lynnwood.

Lynnwood City Council Vice President Stephanie Wright is one of three people who are seeking Cooper’s seat on the County Council. Cooper held position three, which represents the Lynnwood area.

“I sincerely love serving the citizens of Lynnwood — it is my absolute honor to do so,” Wright told us. “I ran for the city council because I care about my neighbors and our community.  Taking the appointment to the county council will not change my concern, nor will it stop my hard work on the behalf of my neighbors or our community.  They can count on me to remain dedicated to their needs if I should be selected to serve as their county council member.”

Wright says Snohomish County and the city of Lynnwood have faced many of the same challenges in recent years, including budget and planning issues.

Lynnwood City Councilmember Kimberly Cole was the aide to Cooper on the County Council. At this point it’s unclear if she will follow him to Edmonds or serve as the aide to the new County Councilperson.

“I will be making future professional decisions based, first, upon my wish to remain with my current boss Mike Cooper,” Cole told us. “While there are several talented and capable candidates to replace Mike Cooper on the Snohomish County Council, I could not commit to remain in the Council office on a blanket level for all of them.”

So far only one other candidate is vying for Cooper’s seat – Edmonds City Councilperson D.J. Wilson. Rep. Marko Liias announced that he will not seek the appointment.

The Snohomish County Council will make the ultimate decision on Cooper’s replacement. If there are more than three candidates the top three will be chosen by precinct committee officers from District 3.

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