King County Exec Sims Nominated For HUD Job

President Barack Obama is nominating King County Executive Ron Sims for the No. 2 job at the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

A source confirmed the appointment to KIRO Monday.

Sims, who has been the top elected official in the state's most populous county since 1996, said the chance to be deputy secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development is a lifetime opportunity he couldn't pass up.

At the news conference, Sims said he was overwhelmed by Obama's trust and confidence in him.

"I will serve the President and the administration's policies," Sims said. "I am truly humbled to be asked to join this team. If I am confirmed, my replacement will be chosen by a vote of the King County Council. I would suggest a caretaker to oversee the position through 2009, then the voters should decide who the next executive is, not politcians."

"Leaving King County will be difficult," Sims said.

The White House says Sims would be in charge day-to-day operations at HUD, which has a $39 billion annual operating budget and 8,500 employees.

His nomination requires approval by the U.S. Senate.

Sims was first elected to the King County Council in 1985 and appointed executive after Gary Locke was elected governor. Sims won election the next year and was re-elected in 2001 and 2005.

He is a Central Washington University graduate who worked on consumer protection issues at the state attorney general's office and the Federal Trade Commission. He ran Seattle's juvenile offender program and worked as a legislative aide in the state Senate before he was elected to the King County Council.

King County, which includes Seattle, is the 13th largest county in the nation with a population of 1.8 million. The county accounts for more than 40 percent of the state's jobs. The county government has a work force of over 13,000 and an annual budget of $4.4 billion.

Senator Patty Murray released a statement following the announcement.

"As a longtime friend of Ron Sims and Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees funding for HUD, I am excited about this announcement. Both housing and development issues are key to our national economic recovery and having Ron in this position will no doubt benefit both our region and the country as a whole."

“Ron will bring years of experience and a passion for community development to his new position. We have worked side-by-side to improve affordable housing opportunities and reduce homelessness in King County, so I know he will jump into this national role with both enthusiasm and know-how. And that is exactly what this agency needs."

“I look forward to Ron’s confirmation and to continuing our work together for our state and nation.”