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King County is taking the position that the county offices (including county executive) are now nonpartisan since the 2008 charter amendment passed. In addition to addressing how the county offices are elected, the charter amendment also changed the process for filling vacancies in county office, and specifically struck the reference to the partisan office method established in the State Constitution, and replaced it with a reference to filling vacancies in nonpartisan office. So it appears that the traditional party nomination process will not apply."Referring to Councilmember Larry Phillips' expressed interest in the post, Blinn added,
I believe that they are also aware of the line of AGO’s (state attorney general's opinions) stating that a Councilmember or Commissioner cannot appoint himself and must resign in order to be eligible for the appointment."