General Election Candidate Statements For Snohomish County Executive & County Council Position 2

Editor’s Note: On September 21st candidates in the November 7th General Election for Everett City Council Districts, Everett School Board and Port of Everett Commissioner along with Snohomish County offices including Everett voters were invited to send a statement up to 500 words to MyEverettNews.com introducing themselves to our readers. Invitations were sent to the email address on file with the Snohomish County Auditor. Not all of the candidates responded but this week we are publishing unedited statements from those that did reply by our deadline. We think this is a good way for you to hear directly from the people running. All City of Everett offices are non-partisan, other offices vary. MyEverettNews.com does not endorse candidates or issues but does accept paid political advertising. Today here are statements received from candidates running for Snohomish County Executive and County Council District 2.
 
Candidate Statement For Dave Somers Snohomish County Executive

Name: Dave Somers
Education: UW BSc. Fisheries Science 1976. UW MSc. Forest Ecology 1996
Occupation: Snohomish County Executive
Length of residence in Snohomish County: 37 years. Have worked in the county 47+ years.

Serving as your Snohomish County Executive has been a great joy and a privilege. I’m proud of the work we’ve done to turn what was, in many ways, a poorly run and ineffective organization into a more streamlined customer service oriented local government. I believe I have a strong record as a Snohomish County leader. Whether as a fisheries biologist, a County Councilmember, or Executive, I have collaborated with others, made informed decisions, and achieved real results. Working as a fisheries biologist with the Tulalip Tribes, I analyzed data, solved problems, and developed long-term projects. These are the same skills I use every day as County Executive. As a four-term county councilmember, I proved I can work with elected officials and on the other side of the aisle to develop policy and meet shared goals. As County Executive, I’ve had a good relationship with the County Council, which has allowed us to work for our citizens. After more than seven years as County Executive, I feel more prepared and more qualified than ever to continue serving Snohomish County in this role. I have a really fantastic team that works well together, shares our common values, and is also service oriented.

I am running for re-election with the following priorities:

Economic Development: I have worked in partnership with business, unions, and workforce development experts to build a resilient and diverse economic base in our region. Moving forward, we can continue making critical progress to help people looking for new careers, assist small businesses and entrepreneurs, and make sure we maintain our identity as a leader in aerospace manufacturing and technology. Reimagining and rebuilding our workforce development system has been a priority for us and will continue to be.
Public Safety: By teaming human services with law enforcement, while addressing long-standing issues that erode community trust, we are building a culture of true public safety in Snohomish County. We are making real progress in addressing priorities, from property crimes to the opioid epidemic, while never losing sight of our need to tackle the root causes– like helping vulnerable youth, getting people into treatment and care, and providing support for those at risk. We must keep working to make progress in building safe and stable communities.

Environmental Protection: We cannot lose sight of the real threats of climate change and the need for ambitious, coordinated action to protect our health, forests, water, and future. We have worked hard to transition to a greener county fleet, promote clean technology jobs, protect habitat and farmland, and improve water quality. I’m committed to doing everything I can to build on this record for the next generation of residents. Our healthy and beautiful environment here in Snohomish County and the region is critical to a healthy and prosperous future. It cannot be separated from our other priorities and is a key to our high quality of life.
 
Candidate Statement For Megan Dunn Snohomish County Council District 2

As a community leader and working mother, I’ve dedicated over 20-years to addressing complex community issues through collaboration and hard work. I’m running to retain my seat on the Snohomish County Council, District 2, serving Everett, Mukilteo, and Tulalip.

My first term was marked by unprecedented challenges that targeted the physical and economic health of our community. We faced these challenges and made critical investments to better our community for everyone. We tackled the housing affordability and the homelessness crisis through enacting robust revenue programs, supported local workers and local businesses by strengthening apprenticeship utilization programs, and championed environmental programs like C-PACER, a low-cost financing option for energy efficient commercial property retrofitting and upgrades and policies to enhance tree canopy coverage and forest stewardship.

Prior to being elected, I served as the Healthy People and Communities Program Director with the Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides, where I led efforts to help protect communities from harmful pesticides and chemicals. I now serve as a member of the Board and the organization has embraced a shared leadership model called distributed leadership. I also served on the Everett Human Needs Committee and the 2012 Everett Streets Initiative Task Force and the Everett Planning Commission.

I have consistently been recognized by my community and colleagues through leadership appointments, including serving as: 2022 Council Chair, Chair of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, Vice Chair of the Growth Management Policy Board for Puget Sound Regional Council, and Chair of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC).

I’m running for re-election to continue the fight for sustainability, livability and affordability. I will be a voice for working people as we move towards our economic and climate goals, invest in workforce development, and champion innovation. I will continue to advocate for sustainable growth so residents can afford to stay in Snohomish County. I will prioritize green infrastructure, including our sustainable aviation fuels center. I will ensure neighbors in crisis have housing and treatment, and residents feel safe and respected. I believe with vibrant community leadership and a government that responds to residents, we can build a bright future for everyone in Snohomish County.

I am a proven leader for public policy changes that improve the lives of our community. I have a bachelor’s degree in Biology-Geology from University of Rochester and a Master of Arts in Policy Studies from University of Washington-Bothell. I live in Everett with my husband, two teenagers and our rescue dog.

I am proudly endorsed by organizations like:
• Tulalip Tribes
• Snohomish County Democrats
• Snohomish-Island Labor Council
• IBEW Local 191
• IAM District 751
• SEIU 775
• LiUNA Laborers 292
• Sheet Metal Workers Local 66
• UFCW 3000
• Washington Conservation Action
• Sierra Club
• Washington Education Association
• Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates
• Pro-Choice Washington

And community and elected leaders like:
• Congressman Rick Larsen
• Sen. June Robinson
• Sen. and former Sheriff, John Lovick
• Sen. Marko Liias
• House Rep Mary Fosse
• House Rep Lilian Ortiz-Self

If you want to learn more about me or my campaign, visit www.electmegan.com.