Wide open King County prosecutor race draws just two candidates

KING COUNTY, Wash. — Voters in King County will be electing a new prosecuting attorney this November.

In January, incumbent Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg announced that he would retire at the end of the year, after serving the office for more than 15 years.

Just two candidates filed to run for the seat before last Friday’s deadline: Federal Way mayor Jim Ferrell and Leesa Manion, Satterberg’s Chief of Staff.

Ferrell began his career as a prosecutor for the city of Renton before he joined the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in 1998.

He served as a Senior Deputy Prosecutor in King County until he took office as mayor in Federal Way in 2014.

“Serving as an elected Mayor and city councilmember in King County for almost two decades, I have a unique understanding of the public safety issues facing our local communities and how policies of the elected prosecutor impact our region,” said Ferrell in a statement announcing his candidacy.

Manion has served in the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s office for nearly three decades, working as the Chief of Staff for the past 15 years.

If elected, Manion would be the first woman and person of color to hold the seat.

“For 15 years, I have served as Chief of Staff in the Prosecutor’s Office, where I have spearheaded projects to protect public safety, reduce racial disproportionality, strengthen victim services, and hold repeat perpetrators accountable,” said Manion in a Facebook post announcing her candidacy. “I am committed to building a fair and transparent justice system, crafting innovative solutions through broad coalitions, and creating positive change to keep every community across King County safe.”

Ballots for the primary election, which will be held on Aug. 2, will be mailed to King County voters beginning on July 13.

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