Dow Constantine taps Fred Jarettt to be Deputy King County Executive

Great move, Dow! Via news release:

King County Executive Elect Dow Constantine announced today that his former primary rival, State Sen. Fred Jarrett of Mercer Island, will join his administration in the critical role of Deputy Executive, the highest ranking staff position in the incoming administration.

Jarrett, who is highly respected by Olympia colleagues and civic leaders from across the political spectrum, will give up his legislative seat in order to take the reins of the day-to-day operations of King County government. Jarrett will also oversee the implementation of Constantine’s ambitious reform agenda.

Fred has long been rumored to be Dow's top choice for Deputy Executive; after the primary back in August, we suggested that Jarrett would be a great fit in a Constantine administration. Now, if Ross Hunter would only run for King County Council in 2011, we'd have all four Democratic executive candidates involved in making King County a better place to live.

In the Constantine administration, the Deputy Executive position will be enhanced as compared to some previous administrations, a clear second in command. With the enhanced responsibilities, Jarrett will serve essentially as the County’s Chief Operating Officer.

Jarrett, currently one of the co-chairs of the Constantine transition committee, said he was honored to accept this key leadership role in the Constantine administration and was eager to move forward on implementing Constantine’s reform agenda once the new administration takes charge on November 24.

Jarrett's move to the Constantine administration will, however, mean that the 41st District will need to find a new senator. The King County Democrats will need to get together and decide which three candidates they like; one of the three will succeed Jarrett as Senator. The King County Council will choose from among the three, or if they can't, then Governor Gregoire will.