Summary

County Council fills openings created by Habib’s election

Story

State Senator Patty Kuderer being sworn in by King County Superior Court Presiding Judge Laura Inveen	Vandana Slatter speaks to the County Council after being sworn in as the newest Representative from the 48th Legislative District

The Metropolitan King County Council today approved the appointments of State Representative Patty Kuderer and Bellevue City Councilmember Vandana Slatter to fill vacancies created in the Washington state Legislature with the election of Senator Cyrus Habib as Washington’s Lieutenant Governor.

Kuderer will serve as the Senator in the state’s 48th Legislative District with Slatter joining the state House as a Representative for the 48th Legislative District, filling the vacancy created by Kuderer’s appointment to the Senate.

Both legislators were appointed in time for the start of the 2017 Legislative Session January 9.

“The Eastside is gaining two outstanding, accomplished and effective leaders to represent the 48th district during what is anticipated to be one of the most daunting sessions in many years,” said Councilmember Claudia Balducci, whose council district is part of the 48th Legislative District. “As a member of the 48th, I am proud to be represented by Senator Patty Kuderer and Representative Vandana Slatter and know they will represent our district ably and powerfully in Olympia.”

“Both of today’s appointees have a proven themselves to be effective and thoughtful elected leaders for the constituents they serve,” said Council Chair Joe McDermott. “I look forward to working with Senator Kuderer and Representative Slatter to address issues important to King County in the upcoming legislative session.”

“Congratulations to Patty Kuderer and Vandana Slatter, from the 48th District on their appointments to the Washington State Legislature,” said Council Vice Chair Reagan Dunn. “I had the privilege of getting to know Vandana while serving as one of the City of Bellevue’s representatives on the King County Council. Her energy and intelligence will be a great asset to people of the 48th and the Washington State House of Representatives. I look forward to continuing to work with her and Patty Kuderer on our shared goals.” 

Pursuant to the State Constitution, the Council must choose from a list of three names submitted by the state central committee of the same political party as the legislator whose office is vacant. The King County Democratic Party submitted three names, identifying Kuderer as the preferred candidate of the 48th District Precinct Committee Officers for the Senate seat, listing Becky Lewis and Sarah Chandler as their second and third choices.

Kuderer was appointed to the House in 2015 and was elected to the Legislature last November. A resident of Bellevue, Kuderer is the head of the Kuderer Law Group. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and received her law degree from the William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota.

“I’m honored by this opportunity and I look forward to representing the values of the 48th District in the Senate,” said Kuderer.

Slatter was listed as the preferred candidate for the House seat, with Brayden Olson and David Combs as second and third choices.

Slatter has been a member of the Bellevue City Council since 2015. A longtime resident of Bellevue, Slatter been a trustee of the Overlake Hospital Foundation and a volunteer advisor to Bellevue College’s Science Department. Slatter has a doctorate in pharmacy from the University of Washington and a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from the University of British Columbia. She also holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the UW's Evans School of Public Affairs.

“I believe that good government is all about removing obstacles and providing opportunities for people to succeed, and I’m grateful for this opportunity,” Slatter said. “I look forward to the serving the vibrant, innovative and diverse community of the 48th District.”

If Kuderer and Slatter want to continue in the Legislature beyond November 2017, both will have to run in the November 2017 General Election.