A look at the Snohomish County Executive race:  Lovick vs. Eslick

EVERETT -- Voters in Snohomish County have a major choice on their hands, with incumbent County Executive John Lovick is being challenged by Republican Carolyn Eslick.

It’s the only county executive race on the ballot this year in our region and therefore is getting a fair amount of attention.

Lovick was appointed to the executive’s position last year.  This race is to fill out the final year on that term.

John Lovick Stats:

Carolyn Eslick Stats:

Lovick’s biggest challenge in the job, no doubt, was the Oso mudslide in March.  It was the worst natural disaster in the county’s history.  He got high marks for his administration’s response.  And he definitely talks about recovery and clean-up effort on the campaign trail.

“Government came together and did what government should do,” Lovick said recently at the Edmonds Kiwanis Club.  “We have a function in government, a function that works.”

Republican Eslick agrees that the county’s response to Oso was admirable.  But she nonetheless faults Lovick for pushing a new $162 million courthouse.  She favors rehabbing the current facility.

She’s also a victim of robbery and wants to put more emphasis on fighting crime.  “Our criminal justice system absolutely has to be overhauled,” Eslick said at a recent campaign forum.  “I am all about safety in the community.”

In the primary election in August, Lovick beat Eslick by six percentage points, 46% to 40%.