King County Council unanimously appoints Shannon Braddock as acting county executive

Shannon Braddock was unanimously appointed acting King County Executive by the King County Council on April 1, 2025, following the resignation of Dow Constantine, who left to become Sound Transit’s CEO. The council approved proposed motion 20-25-0110 by a 9-0 roll-call vote.

Why it matters: The action fills a statutory vacancy in the county’s top executive post and vests day-to-day leadership in an executive the council described as experienced and prepared, while preserving the council’s option to take further action before the November election.

Jeff Mum, the council’s chief policy officer, briefed the council on the legal mechanics that required action. He said the motion “is pretty straightforward”: Constantine resigned effective 11:59 p.m. on March 30, 2025, and had designated Deputy County Executive Shannon Braddock to serve as interim. State law requires the council to fill the vacancy at its next regular meeting; the county charter allows the executive to designate a deputy to serve as interim and allows the council to select an acting executive.

Deputy County Executive Shannon Braddock addressed the council before the vote. She told members she has worked in King County for 26 years and said she does not plan to run for election this November: “No, I do not plan to do that.” She described a priority of maintaining continuity in county operations, retaining leadership staff and preparing a 200-day plan that would address near-term priorities including budget work and technology policy.

Council members praised Braddock’s experience and urged a stable transition. Vice Chair Sarah Perry moved the appointment; Council Member Dunn seconded. The roll call recorded nine ayes and no opposing votes. After the council vote, Judge Ketu Shaw, presiding judge of King County Superior Court, administered the oath of office. Braddock then delivered brief remarks thanking staff, leaders and family and citing a passage from former County Executive John Spellman on public service.

The council’s sponsors and multiple members said they intend to discuss whether to return at a later meeting to appoint Braddock to serve until the successor is elected in November; no council action to appoint through November was taken at this meeting. The council also recessed briefly into an executive session under the grounds read on the record (RCW as stated in the meeting) prior to returning to vote on the acting appointment.

Votes and formal actions - Motion: Proposed motion 20-25-0110 — “Appoint Shannon Braddock as acting King County Executive.” Moved by Vice Chair Sarah Perry; seconded by Council Member Dunn. Outcome: approved, 9 ayes, 0 nos.

What happened next: Braddock assumed the acting role immediately after the oath and said she would focus on maintaining continuity, preparing for budget uncertainties and producing a short-range plan for the transition to the next elected executive.

Background: Dow Constantine resigned after serving as King County Executive since 2009; his resignation created the vacancy the council addressed. The county charter and state law together provide a path for an interim executive designated by the outgoing executive and for the council to appoint an acting executive until an elected successor is certified.

Looking ahead: Council members said they intend to discuss a process and possible formal appointment through November at a future meeting this month; a decision about a longer-term appointment was not made at the April 1 session.