Tag Archives: Ron Sims

Ron Sims Goes To Washington, DC

Ron Sims, King County Executive, has just announced that he has been tapped by President Barrack Obama to head to Washington, DC as the next Deputy Secretary at the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

In a statement released by the Sims Campaign :

President Barack Obama today announced his intent to nominate me as the next Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. If confirmed by the United States Senate, I will serve the President.

I want to thank you for the support and encouragement you have given me all these years. I would not have been able to serve in an elected capacity without your help. There are no words to express my heartfelt gratitude for your contributions of time and money; no measure of my appreciation for your passion and commitment to work with me on issues that affect our quality of life. …

I sincerely believed I would be tackling these challenges at the regional level when I announced my intention to seek reelection as County Executive. Little did I imagine that I would be called upon by the President to join him on this historic journey. I am so honored. If confirmed, I will give the President, his administration, and our country my very best. I am eager to promote what we have done here in King County, particularly in helping other metropolitan centers adapt to climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and build healthy communities that provide economic opportunities for all.

Again, let me thank you for your unyielding support. Leaving King County government will be very difficult, but I look forward to the opportunity to serve our President and our great country.

Councilmember Larry Phillips last year formed an exploratory committee to begin a run for King County Executive. Last Tuesday he announced that he was moving forward with his intent to run for King County Executive.

Larry Phillips is a Democrat. Despite voters last November making the race a nonpartisan one, Democrats hold a distinct edge in winning office in King County. And Phillips has a strong progressive track record on issues, both before the King County Council and before that as a State Legislator.

Inslee, Cantwell and Sims Campaign for Hillary Clinton for President

Senator Maria Cantwell , Congressman Jay Inslee and King County Executive Ron Sims were busy Saturday urging Washington voters to support Senator Hillary Clinton for President in the precinct caucuses next Saturday, February 9, 2008. They spoke to Clinton supporters at a rally at the Machinists Hall in South Seattle after speaking in Tacoma and Everett earlier in the day.

Congressman Inslee has become a major force in Congress for renewable energy pushing the new Apollo Energy Project. Inslee called Senator Clinton a change agent who understood the energy issues and who would provide the leadership to “kick our addiction to Middle East Oil” and move us to a clean energy future and green jobs.

Programs needed include 55 miles per gallon cars by 2030, getting 25% of our energy from renewables, 70% more efficient lighting, and 20 million low income homes weatherized. Clinton stood for action, not talk said Inslee.

Senator Cantwell noted that she came to the US Senate the same year as Clinton did and that in the seven years she has worked with Clinton, Clinton gets things done. She said Clinton as President would be ready from Day 1 to to work for new green jobs and clean energy.

Cantwell say Clinton working across the aisle getting things done, even when the Republicans were in control. One example of this was Clinton working for lifetime health benefits for the National Guard and Reserve.

She saw this same dedication on Clinton’s part with her plan for a clean energy economy creating new jobs. Clinton will be ready from day 1 to change history and to get our country on the right course, economically and internationally.

Ron Sims said he saw Clinton having the intuitive instinct and preparation to make the changes that people in this coutry are ready for. He said we’ve been in the wasteland too long but that Clinton, like FDR and TR, knows how to get things done – that she is the right person with the right intuition at the right time to be elected President.

Cantwell noted that Clinton is leading the fight in the Senate opposing any Bush proposal to lock the US into a long term agreement with Iraq. Clinton said any such proposal is basically a treaty and as such treaties must be approved by the Senate.

Cantwell also mentioned efforts being made in the Senate trying to add green energy proposals now to the stimulus package. Sims noted that China is spending $35 billion a year on new energy production and that if the US could take the lead in developing green energy sources, this could help in bringing money into this country and help reduce our trade deficit.