Brian Sullivan: Progressive Democrat for Snohomish County Council

I have previously posted here that, with certain changes on the Everett City Council and the Snohomish County Council, “…Snohomish County could become the next seat of Progressive politics in the state…” Brian Sullivan’s (D-21st LD) campaign for Snohomish County Council, District 2 represents one of our best opportunities to achieve that goal this year. Sullivan spent four years on the Mukilteo City Council (1985-1989) before serving seven years as that city’s Mayor from 1990 to 1997. In 2000, he was elected to the State House to represent the 21st LD which includes Mukilteo, Lynwood, and Edmonds. His current committee assignments are Agriculture and Natural Resources (Chair), Local Government, and Transportation. Sullivan is one of the most respected members on issues concerning the environment and land use and has been an outspoken advocate for affordable housing. This session he has taken up the cause for Mobile Home Park residents who are being displaced by park owners eager to sell out to condo developers.

Since the end of the 2006 legislative session Brian Sullivan has been out doorbelling in the district (over 5,000 as of his kick-off event Wednesday night) and talking to the various interest groups necessary for support in the campaign. He has already received the endorsements of the Snohomish County Democrats and the Washington Conservation Voters amongst others. I caught up with him at his kick-off for a few questions.

TLS: You’re currently serving your fourth term in Olympia. By all accounts you have been pretty successful in your role as a legislator. What is prompting your run for Snohomish County Council?


SULLIVAN: I’m ready to take my experience as a Mayor, State Representative and County Outreach Director and put it to work on the Council. I grew up here and I love this area and really want to be able to work on issues that directly affect us.

TLS: If elected, you will be serving the 2nd Council District (my district). How do you describe this district and what, if any, specific challenges do you see ahead for the district?


SULLIVAN: This is a wonderful district to live in! I see the biggest issues that this district and the county face as keeping this a great place to live, work and raise our families: investing in our roads and transit to improve transportation, creating strong family-wage jobs and continuing to build the economy, protecting the environment and preserving our neighborhoods.

TLS: Obviously your position as Chair of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee as well as your seat on the Transportation Committee are pluses considering the challenges facing a growing Snohomish County. What specific ideas or issues related to these areas do you wish to pursue if you are elected?


SULLIVAN: Chairing the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee has helped me learn about issues we face across the state. Here in Snohomish County I’ve worked on sustainable agriculture, the health of Puget Sound, and crops for biofuels. I will use my experience as Chair to help support the various issues affecting our county.
I have been a member of the Transportation Committee since I was first elected in 2001. As Snohomish County continues to grow our roads, highways, and ferries are more traveled. We must implement long-term solutions to improve traffic and protect our air quality. The Mukilteo multimodal terminal and improving travel through the Everett I-5 corridor are two specific issues I would address..
It certainly has been a great opportunity for me to sit on these committees and I look forward to sharing what I have learned at the county level.

TLS: One of the potential “hot button” issues you might be looking at if elected will be a possible expansion of activity at Paine Field in Everett. The City of Mukilteo has taken a pretty strong stand against any such expansion. As the former mayor of that city who would now be taking a seat on the ultimate deciding body, what are your thoughts on this issue?


SULLIVAN: Many residents in our communities are concerned by the prospects of increased commercial air traffic at Paine Field. I stand against expanding commercial air traffic at Paine Field and the impacts this would have on our local quality of life, including increased noise and possibly lower property values. We need a plan for Paine Field that sets forth a vision for generating jobs and economic growth opportunities, including one that ensures Paine Field will remain a good neighbor and asset to our communities. We should focus on Paine Field’s historical contribution to our local economy: high-paying aerospace manufacturing jobs. I propose increasing the aerospace manufacturing capacity of Paine Field. The expansion of this industry would bring major advantages and serve as a critical economic asset.

TLS: During the recent activity revolving around bringing a four year college degree program/institution to Snohomish County what role did you play in those efforts? With the conclusion that a UW branch site will be coming to the county, how hard will you push to have that facility come to Everett – the heart of your Council District?


SULLIVAN: I was actively involved in bringing a four- year university to Snohomish County. I am really pleased UW will locate a future campus in the county and Everett is the ideal site. With the projected population growth, Everett will serve as the hub of the county and therefore will have the appropriate infrastructure to host a four year institution.

TLS: Finally, how are things going with your campaign? If folks want to reach you or become involved in the campaign how do they do so?


SULLIVAN: My campaign is off to a great start. Just this week we formally kicked off the campaign, though I’ve been on the campaign trail for months. We have door belled almost 20 precincts; we earned many important endorsements like that of the Snohomish County Democrats, the Mukilteo Firefighters, the Washington Conservation Voters and many more. I have been received very well and am looking forward to meeting people throughout the rest of the campaign. We have put up a website at: www.vote-briansullivan.com and contributions can be mailed to Brian Sullivan for County Council at PO Box 1751 Everett, WA 98206.

The 2nd County Council District is an open seat this year with current “DINO” Kirk Seivers being retired by term limits. There will be a Democratic primary with 38th LD State Senator, Jean Berkey also announcing her intention to seek the seat. A Republican challenger awaits the winner of the primary.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue