Local News

The Associated Press

TACOMA — Rep. Steve O’Ban has been appointed to fill the seat of Sen. Mike Carrell, who died last week from complications related to his treatment for a blood condition.

The Pierce County Council was unanimous in its Tuesday vote for O’Ban. O’Ban was one of three names forwarded to the council by Pierce County Republicans, including Pierce County Councilman Dick Muri, who was the party’s top choice. University Place City Councilman Javier Figueroa was also considered.

Carrell died last Wednesday at a Seattle hospital. Earlier this year, the Lakewood Republican was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, also known as pre-leukemia. The chronic disease affects blood-forming stem cells. With his death, the Senate was in a tie, with 24 Democrats and 24 members of the Majority Coalition Caucus, which comprises 23 Republicans and two Democrats. O’Ban’s appointment regains the majority for the Majority Coalition. He will be sworn in at the Senate Wednesday morning.

The Associated Press

OLYMPIA — A state Senate panel has removed sanctions against a Republican lawmaker despite fresh allegations that she mistreated staff members in the Legislature.

The Senate Facilities and Operations Committee decided Tuesday night that Sen. Pam Roach can now resume direct contact with staff. Republican Sen. Don Benton, who chairs the committee, declined to discuss the reasoning.

The change allows Roach, R-Auburn, to serve as chair of a Senate committee focused on government operations.
Documents previously obtained by The Associated Press concluded that Roach violated the Senate’s policy in March by verbally attacking a Senate Republican staffer charged with upholding sanctions against Roach. Those sanctions from 2010 came after an investigation determined that she had mistreated staff.

Roach is a key vote in a new Republican-leaning coalition in the Senate. That coalition has only a one-vote advantage in the chamber.

The Associated Press

The King County ombudsman has decided not to pursue an investigation of Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna.

 Ombudsman director Amy Calderwood said in a letter to McKenna released Friday that too much time has passed since he worked on the Metropolitan King County County Council about a decade ago. She says memories have surely dimmed, and witnesses may be unavailable.

 Two people had filed complaints against McKenna in May after an Associated Press report found that his office discussed political issues during staff meetings and used a county fax machine to send an invitation on behalf of the state Republican Party. McKenna’s government files contained hundreds of campaign documents, including fundraising lists.

 Ethics laws prohibit government workers from using government facilities for “personal convenience” or political campaigns.

The Associated Press

A committee that screens candidates for judge in King County has agreed to reconsider its rating of “not qualified” for one such candidate, after several judges and other lawyers spoke out on her behalf.

 Hong Tran is running for an open seat on the Superior Court bench against senior deputy King County prosecutor Sean O’Donnell. Tran is a 20-year lawyer who has devoted her career to representing poor people in civil and criminal matters.

The King County Bar Association’s screening committee gave her a rating of “not qualified” this month, and it’s not clear why, because the proceedings are confidential. The rating prompted letters from two state appeals court judges who said she’s exceptionally well qualified.

The committee suspended Tran’s rating on Thursday pending reconsideration.

O’Donnell has been rated well qualified.

 The Associated Press

A woman who’s running for superior court judge in King County says she was stunned to receive a rating of “not qualified” from the county bar association, and she’s not the only one who was surprised.

Two state appeals court judges have now written to the King County Bar Association on behalf of attorney Hong Tran, insisting that she does excellent work and is exceptionally well qualified to be a judge.

Many voters rely on such ratings in determining whom to vote for.

The 46-year-old Tran is a public defender and has devoted her 17-year legal career to helping the poor in civil and criminal matters. She says she’s never even had a bar complaint filed against her.

Tran is running against King County senior deputy prosecutor Sean O’Donnell, who has raised and spent far more money than she has.