County Council appoints David Frockt to State Senate

November 14, 2011

Summary

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The Metropolitan King County Council today gave its unanimous support to the appointment of State Representative David Frockt to the vacant Washington State Senate seat in the 46th Legislative District. The vacancy is a result of the death of Senator Scott White last month.

“David has already established a reputation of effectively representing the people of the 46th District,” said Councilmember Bob Ferguson, who resides in the 46th District. “His accomplishments protecting victims of domestic violence and ensuring environmental safeguards demonstrate his capability and dedication. The Council was pleased to receive such a distinguished nominee for confirmation.”

“Though we will deeply miss the presence and leadership of Senator Scott White, our friend Scott would be pleased to see the people of the 46th District represented in the state Senate by someone as capable and respected as newly appointed Senator David Frockt,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips. “I was pleased to support Senator Frockt’s appointment. He is someone who Scott admired and worked well with, and who has a history of serving the people of the 46th very well. Like Scott, Senator Frockt is a strong advocate for transit. When we were endeavoring to save Metro Transit during the last legislative session, I heard from Representative Frockt about Senator’s White’s transit bill almost as frequently as I heard from Scott himself.”

“Even though 2011 was just his second year in the state Legislature, David Frockt is an effective legislator,” said Council Chair Larry Gossett. “He will make a strong addition to the State Senate.”

Ferguson, Phillips and Gossett each represent portions of the 46th Legislative District on the County Council.

“It is an honor to have been chosen by the PCOs and the County Council to serve the 46th in this new position. I am humbled to be succeeding Scott White, who was a talented and effective legislator,” said Frockt. “I look forward to tackling the issues facing our state and working collaboratively with the County Council and other local officials.”

Elected to the Washington State House of Representatives in 2010, Frockt won the seat previously held by White before his move to the Senate. Prior to public service, he worked in a telecommunications firm and practiced employment and business law before co-founding a successful Seattle law firm representing asbestos cancer victims. Frockt also served as a Legislative Aide in the US Congress, focusing on judicial and small-business issues.

Frockt’s name was submitted to the Council by the Democrat Precinct Committee Officers of the 46th, per the State Constitution. Committee officers nominate and submit three names and, in this case, the other two nominees have stated they would decline to serve if chosen.

The promotion of Frockt to the state Senate creates an opening in the state House to be filled by the same process. The Council expects to act on the nomination as soon as it is received from the 46th District Democrat PCOs