Pierce County council member will be new Assessor-Treasurer. What happens to his seat?
Marty Campbell, who represents District 5 on the Pierce County Council, will start his new job as the elected Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer in January. So what will happen to his council seat?
Campbell’s council term is set to expire at the end of 2026. The Democrat has served on the council since 2019, and his last day there will be Dec. 31, 2024. Campbell previously served as a Tacoma City Council member from 2010-2017 and as deputy mayor in 2013.
He ran against Kent Keel for the Assessor-Treasurer position this year and won.
Once the position becomes vacant, Pierce County Democrats will nominate Campbell’s replacement, council chair and Democrat Ryan Mello told The News Tribune on Nov. 14.
The county Democratic Party will submit three names for the County Council to consider, and council members will conduct interviews and make an appointment in open public session, similar to 2022 when current council member and Republican Paul Herrera was first appointed following Hans Zeiger’s resignation, Mello said.
Campbell’s replacement will serve on the council until the next general election cycle in 2025, council spokesperson Bryan Dominique told The News Tribune via email on Nov. 13.
“Candidates for appointment are chosen by the political party of the council member vacating the seat,” Dominique said. “Since the next full term for this seat begins in 2027, it would be on the ballot in the 2025 General Election and again in the 2026 General Election, returning its normal four-year cycle after that.”
Campbell’s current plan is to resign on Dec. 31 and take the oath of office for Assessor-Treasurer at the start of the term on Jan. 1, 2025, Dominique said.
In a statement to The News Tribune, Campbell said it has been “a great privilege” to serve on the council and represent District 5 and considered it “a tremendous honor to have the County’s trust.”
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work alongside my fellow council members, council staff and — most importantly — the residents of this county, whose voices have shaped our work together,” he said. “As I prepare to take on the role of Assessor-Treasurer, I am excited to continue my commitment to public service in this new capacity and focus my attention on property assessments that are fair, accurate and transparent.”
This story was originally published November 15, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
