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King County Executive

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King County Executive
since April 1, 2025
AppointerElectorate
Metropolitan King County Council (unexpired terms)
Term length4 years
Inaugural holderJohn Spellman
FormationNovember 5, 1968 (charter approved)
May 1, 1969 (charter took effect)
Salary$248,148 (2021)
WebsiteKing County Executive

The King County Executive is the elected county executive of King County, Washington. The office was established with the implementation of the Home Rule Charter for King County on November 5, 1968.[1] Previously the powers of the county executive were vested in a three-member county commission, which with the implementation of the Home Rule Charter in 1969 ceased to exist. The county executive is elected every four years and the office is nonpartisan.

The first county executive was John Spellman, from 1969 to 1981. The current executive is Shannon Braddock, who was appointed as interim executive on April 1, 2025, following the resignation of Dow Constantine to become CEO of Sound Transit.[2]

Elections

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Elections for the County Executive have historically taken place in odd-numbered years. However, in 2022, an amendment to the County Charter was passed which would move elections for several county elected offices to even-numbered years. To do so, the 2025 election will be for a three year term, instead of the normal four years.[3]

List of executives

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Order King County Executive Party[a] Took office Left office Terms Notes
1 John Spellman Republican May 1, 1969 January 14, 1981 3+ Resigned to serve as Governor of Washington
2 Ron Dunlap Republican January 14, 1981[b] November 18, 1981 <1
3 Randy Revelle Democratic November 18, 1981 January 1, 1986 1
4 Tim Hill Republican January 1, 1986 January 4, 1994 2
5 Gary Locke Democratic January 4, 1994 January 15, 1997 <1 Resigned to serve as Governor of Washington
6 Ron Sims Democratic January 15, 1997[b][c] May 8, 2009 2+ Resigned to serve as Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
7 Kurt Triplett Democratic May 8, 2009[b] November 24, 2009 <1
8 Dow Constantine Democratic November 24, 2009 March 31, 2025 4 Resigned to serve as CEO of Sound Transit.[4]
9 Shannon Braddock April 1, 2025[d] Incumbent <1

Notes

  1. ^ The office of King County Executive is elected on a non-partisan basis, the following is for informational purposes only.
  2. ^ a b c Appointed to serve out remainder of term
  3. ^ Subsequently elected to full four-year term
  4. ^ Appointed as interim executive and awaiting confirmation as acting executive.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ HistoryLink Essay: King County voters approve first Home Rule Charter on November 5, 1968
  2. ^ Gutman, David (April 1, 2025). "Shannon Braddock is King County's first new leader in 15 years. Who is she?". The Seattle Times. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  3. ^ "King County Executive Dow Constantine won't run for reelection | Cascade PBS". www.cascadepbs.org. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  4. ^ Lindblom, Mike (March 27, 2025). "Sound Transit board unites around Dow Constantine in CEO vote". The Seattle Times. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
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