Dave Somers facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dave Somers
5th Snohomish County Executive
Incumbent
Assumed office January 4, 2016
Preceded by	John Lovick
Chair of the Snohomish County Council
In office January 1, 2014 – January 4, 2016
Preceded by	Stephanie Wright
Succeeded by	Terry Ryan
In office January 1, 2010 – January 1, 2012
Preceded by	Mike Cooper
Succeeded by	Brian Sullivan
In office January 1, 2008 – January 1, 2009
Preceded by	Dave Gossett
Succeeded by	Mike Cooper
Member of the Snohomish County Council from the 5th district
In office January 1, 2006 – January 4, 2016
Preceded by	Jeff Sax
Succeeded by	Hans Dunshee
In office January 1, 1998 – January 1, 2002
Preceded by	R.C. Johnson
Succeeded by	Jeff Sax
Personal details
Born	1953 (age 71–72) Napa, California, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Elaine Somers
Residences	Monroe, Washington, U.S.
Education	University of Washington (BS, MS)
Occupation	Fisheries biologist

David J. Somers (born in 1953) is an American politician and a scientist who studies fish. He currently serves as the Snohomish County Executive. This is a very important job in Snohomish County, Washington. He has held this position since 2016. Before becoming the County Executive, Somers was a member of the Snohomish County Council. He represented the 5th district, which covers the eastern part of the county.

Early Life and Education

Dave Somers grew up in Napa, California. He first went to college at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. Later, he moved to the Seattle area to study at the University of Washington.

At the University of Washington, he earned a bachelor's degree in fisheries science. This means he studied fish and how they live. He later returned to get a master's degree in forest ecology, which is about how forests work. From 1979 to 1997, Somers worked as a fisheries biologist for the Tulalip Tribes.

Political Career

Serving on the County Council

In 1997, Dave Somers was elected to the Snohomish County Council. The County Council is a group of elected officials who make important decisions for the county. He represented the 5th district. He won against the person who held the seat before him.

Somers ran his campaign promising to make real estate developers responsible. He wanted them to help with the costs of new housing. This included improving roads and schools.

In 2001, he lost his re-election to Jeff Sax. But Somers ran again in 2005 for his old seat and won by a small number of votes. He was elected for a third term in 2009. While on the County Council, Somers worked to protect the environment. He also focused on rules for how land is used.

Becoming County Executive

In May 2015, Somers announced he would run for Snohomish County Executive. This is the top leadership role in the county government. He challenged the person already in the job, John Lovick.

Somers won the election and became the fifth County Executive in January 2016. After he left the County Council, Hans Dunshee was chosen to finish his term.

Besides his work as County Executive, Somers joined the Sound Transit Board in 2016. Sound Transit helps plan and build public transportation like trains and buses. He became the board's chair in 2017. He also became the vice president of the Puget Sound Regional Council. This group helps plan for the future of the Puget Sound area.

Dave Somers ran for his second term in 2019 and won easily. In 2023, he ran for a third term. He won the election with 60 percent of the votes. He will serve his final term from 2024 to 2028 because of rules about how many terms a person can serve.

Personal Life

Dave Somers met his wife, Elaine, when they were both in the University of Washington Husky Marching Band. Somers played the tuba for two years. He was also the Drum Major, who leads the band, for three years. He even marched playing the bass drum in the 1978 Rose Bowl game!