Quid pro quo? County Exec and Sound Transit CEO Candidate Dow Constantine Endorses Harrell Ahead of Selection Vote

Here’s the facts.

1) King County Executive Dow Constantine endorsed Bruce Harrell upon Harrell’s announcement of his reelection bid. This was an unusually early endorsement as no other candidates have yet emerged. https://www.bruceforseattle.com/endorsements/

2) Dow Constantine is also reported to be a finalist for Sound Transit CEO, a position that would triple his salary and dramatically improve his pension. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/sound-transit-ceo-search-heats-up-for-a-potential-675k-position/ https://www.theurbanist.org/2025/02/15/dow-constantine-reveals-sound-transit-ceo-bid/

3) Bruce Harrell, as a member of the Sound Transit Board, will be voting (in secret) on whether or not Constantine will be selected for this position. Harrell and the nine other members representing King County were all appointed by Constantine. (None of these board members have yet announced their plans to recuse themselves due to the ongoing ethical conflict inherent in their appointments.)

Is it a smoking gun? No. But there is certainly the appearance of a quid pro quo here, which is under most circumstances in public service is grounds for recusal. Please email the mayor (Bruce.Harrell@seattle.gov) and request that he recuse himself from the CEO search.

Normally I would advocate that not only Harrell but the other King County board members recuse themselves as well. However that would make a complete farce out of the CEO search because the largest county in the system would be unrepresented. In my opinion, the only way forward is for Constantine to remove himself from consideration or for the Board to do so on his behalf.

What a mess.