Sound Politics: Lovick Brings in His Foes

November 21, 2007

Lovick Brings in His Foes

Snohomish County Sheriff-elect John Lovick has just fulfilled the stereotypical dream of many an editorial board: he's bringing in his opponents from the campaign trail to serve on his leadership team.

I'm not sure how that's going to work out, in part given some of the interactions of the candidates on the campaign trail. But, best of luck to them since the service they perform - public safety - is just a tad important.

Posted by Eric Earling at November 21, 2007 07:10 AM | Email This

Comments

1. Plus, Biedler and Greene need the job.

Lovick is lucky he could get these two pros.

I still don't understand why underlying R/D backgrounds have anything to do with sheriff. Maybe someday, but the race for sheriff seemed to be all about R and D.

Posted by: swatter on November 21, 2007 07:45 AM

2. I've met Lovick before, and he did impress me as a man genuinely committed to being a good public servant as opposed to being a pure political hack.

I still think he was easily the least qualified of the three candidates, but this does appear to be an impressive gesture, at least if he actually gives Green and Beidler real input and responsibility as opposed to just the title.

I'm optimistic. Lovick seems like a good man and I hope he makes up in wisdom what he lacks in high-level experience.

Posted by: cliff on November 21, 2007 08:38 AM

3. Sounds like someone just read Doris Kearns Goodwin's book Team of Rivals. Somehow I don't think Lovick is quite on Lincoln's level.

Posted by: Steve in Queen Anne on November 21, 2007 08:49 AM

4. I also believe Lovick to be a very sincere public servant and has the character to be a very good sheriff...but,

I find it interesting that he needs his opponents to help him run the department, and it makes me question if he knows what the hell he is doing???

Posted by: A. Roberts on November 21, 2007 08:54 AM

5. I agree Mr. Roberts, but elections are elections and elections have consequences. If Biedler and Greene stay on, then Lovick has become a superb manager. Let him do the politics, hire good people and let them do their job. Seems like a good start for someone who doesn't have a clue.

Met someone who knows Lovick and refused to change his vote after I talked to him (information on background provided by SP commenters). He likes John and while he agreed John may have been better in Olympia than as sheriff, he said the wife and family may have played a role in him staying in town.

Posted by: swatter on November 21, 2007 09:04 AM

6. I think this shows a great deal of class for Lovick. Kinda makes me regret voting against him.

IF (big IF) he can pull this off and make it work well I think he would make a good candidate for Governor. Lord know we need people in Olympia that knows how to play well with others.

Posted by: Monroe Parent on November 21, 2007 09:10 AM

7. Reardon would NEVER let Lovick run for Gov. He's already pissed that Rossi lost in 2004 because he wanted to run in 2008. One way or another, Reardon will be running in 2012.

Posted by: cliff on November 21, 2007 10:15 AM

8. The next "D" who's running for governor is Jay Inslee. Reardon needs to get in line, or get his butt kicked in a Primary (Jay is twice the politician Reardon is).

Posted by: Willis on November 21, 2007 10:59 AM

9. Inslee's not as good looking or young as Reardon, and doesn't have any executive experience.

I'm guessing that both might run. But I wouldn't be surprised at Reardon coming out on top. Inslee is too far left, and we have a history of generally electing moderate county executives as Governor (see: Spellman, Gardner, Locke).

Posted by: cliff on November 21, 2007 11:06 AM

10. Lovick is extremely lucky to have Greene, especially after all the nastiness and lies. Greene is truly an honorable man. I am not sure I could have put my differences with Lovick aside.

cliff says Lovick seems like a good man. After his lies about who was endorsing him -- and his lies to the PDC about his lies -- and his terrible ads against Greene, I can't agree. Greene took the high road, Lovick took the low road. Whether it made a difference I don't know, but I cannot admire Lovick.

As for Beidler ... wow. He has proven to us here on Sound Politics that he has a serious maturity deficit, and now he is bureau chief?! Incredible. I fear for the department with Lovick and Beidler there. I only hope Greene can hold it all together.

Posted by: pudge on November 21, 2007 11:28 AM

11. Oh, and one more thought: this proves what I knew all along, that Lovick is a politician, not a sheriff. A competent sheriff would not have made Rob Beidler the bureau chief. He did it because it made political sense, not because Beidler was actually a good choice for the job.

Posted by: pudge on November 21, 2007 11:34 AM

12. For those who wonder how all these positions fit together, as I did, here is the org chart.

Posted by: pudge on November 21, 2007 11:36 AM

13. My only wonder is why does Lovick need all the work load? What does Reardon need covered up or covered over?

And Dang it Greene and Biedler and others if he is being a politician and not a sheriff would you tell us?? Would you please print the emails and the meeting notes and bring it here? We know he is a politician - Look at the rabid antiGreen letters to the editor tying him to Hutch and Rossi that he ghost wrote for his minions to send in.

I can nearly vomit at his claims of being a Wa State Trooper and the implied honesty and he sits there with obvious fraud perpetrated right in front of us and votes in the Queen in 2004 as he ran the Senate. What gives?

I hope his politics don't filter too far down to the rank and file. John you had no mandate my friend and I sure hope if ya mess with it you're ratted out. Would that not be crummy if it came out in the fall of 2012 as the Reardon Machine rolls into full election mode?

On the other hand I could be wrong but, unfortunately, experience never proves me wrong that is why this never makes sense.

And what did Diepenbrock do to help out? It was tight on election night and then opened up. Can't tell but can't be sure either.

Posted by: Col. Hogan on November 21, 2007 03:31 PM

14. Col. Hogan: I do not know Carolyn Diepenbrock very well, but I have come to know her a bit over the past couple years, talking with her about election processes and procedures many times, and if she did absoultely anything at all to rig an election -- no matter how slight -- I would be utterly shocked. I believe she has a great deal of integrity, and that she believes in and values her role as the facilitator of fair, open, and accurate elections.

And I've never heard anyone who knows her say anything different.

Posted by: pudge on November 21, 2007 04:23 PM

15. Crossed swords with Lovick in the past and his lack of knowledge on important issues on which he voted left me more then underwhelmed. Empty suit comes to mind. He knows how to run an effective campaign. I doubt if he knows how to manage the Snohomish County Sheriff's Department.

I think this is about retirement. Lovick has reached the age when retirement planning becomes important. Let's see: Military, WSP, several terms in the House and capping his public service career as Sheriff. Wonder what his retirement income will be? Anyone have an idea.

Posted by: Snuffy on November 21, 2007 09:20 PM