Snohomish County Sheriff John Lovick Seeks to Replace Reardon as County Executive

Snohomish County Sheriff John Lovick (D-Mill Creek) announced Monday that he plans to seek appointment as the Snohomish County Executive, to serve out the remainder of embattled County Executive Aaron Reardon's term. Reardon tendered his resignation last week.

According to the Seattle Times, Lovick could be one of a pool of three candidates put forward by the Snohomish County Democrats. The Snohomish County Council will make a selection from the candidates, and the appointee would have to run for election in 2014.

Lovick has been Snohomish County Sheriff for five years, and previously served four terms in the state Legislature as a 44th District Representative. Lovick received an AA in Criminal Justice from Shoreline Community College and spent 30 years with the Washington State Patrol, retiring from his position as a Sergeant in 2004.

Reardon was the focus of a six-month Washington State Patrol investigation that stemmed from allegations he misused public funds while having an extramarital affair. The WSP investigation concluded in June 2012 and found insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges against Reardon.

But controversy continued to follow the county executive. The state Public Disclosure Commission recently launched an investigation into allegations he used taxpayer funds on political campaigns, and the Snohomish County Council voted Wednesday to remove his authority to operate the county's computers, according to The Daily Herald.