Summary

Executive Constantine today will accept a Public Official of the Year award from Governing magazine. He was selected for his leadership on Best Starts for Kids and expanding mass transit across the Puget Sound region.

Story

King County Executive Dow Constantine is in Washington, D.C., to accept a Public Official of the Year award from Governing magazine. He is one of eight public officials from across the United States honored for delivering innovative solutions to some of the greatest challenges of this generation.

Governing noted Executive Constantine’s leadership in creating Best Starts for Kids, an initiative that will increase the number of children and youth in King County who reach adulthood healthy, resilient, and ready to excel.

Editors also recognized his accomplishments as Chair of the Sound Transit Board of Directors, including the recent voter approval of the biggest expansion of mass transit in the central Puget Sound region’s history.

“At a time of uncertainty at the national level, we continue to make progress toward being a more just, inclusive region where all have the chance to achieve their full potential,” said Executive Constantine. “We are embracing the future, upholding the American promise of hope, freedom and opportunity for all.”

With 2.1 million residents in 39 cities and unincorporated areas, King County is the nation’s 13th-largest county. It also has one of the most diverse populations in the United States.

Peter May, a University of Washington political science professor, says Executive Constantine has created innovative partnerships to implement his initiatives, including ORCA LIFT, the nation’s leading reduced-fare program for passengers who earn a lower income.

“He’s been very effective in building constituencies and coalitions,” said May. “He really understands the nexus between policy, politics and implementation.”

Governing's 2016 Public Officials of the Year award recipients are:

• Dow Constantine, King County Executive
• Charles Baker, Governor of Massachusetts
• Michael Hancock, Mayor of Denver
• Keith Parker, General Manager and CEO of Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority
• Nick Macchione, Agency Director and Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Health and Human Services at County of San Diego, Calif.
• Kristen Cox, Executive Director of the Utah Governor’s Office of Management and Budget
• Deb Peters, Chair of the Joint Committee on Appropriates at the South Dakota Senate
• Steve Leifman, Miami-Dade County Judge

Relevant links

• VIDEO: Embracing the future of our region
• Executive Constantine honored as Public Official of the Year by Governing magazine

Quotes

At a time of uncertainty at the national level, we continue to make progress toward being a more just, inclusive region where all have the chance to achieve their full potential. We are embracing the future, upholding the American promise of hope, freedom and opportunity for all.

For more information, contact:

Chad Lewis, Executive Office, 206-263-1250