Seattle-area transit agency Sound Transit is facing bipartisan backlash over its nomination of King County Executive Dow Constantine as CEO, with critics citing concerns over favoritism, lack of transparency, and excessive salary. The new CEO position is set to pay up to $675,000 per year—nearly double the salary of the New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) CEO, despite Sound Transit having a fraction of the ridership.
After a closed-door selection process, Sound Transit’s Board of Directors announced Monday that Constantine, a long-serving board member, was their nominee. Constantine, who previously announced he would not seek a fifth term as King County Executive, leaves behind a county plagued by record homelessness, drug overdoses, and a $150 million budget deficit.
Critics from across the political spectrum argue that Constantine’s nomination is riddled with conflicts of interest, as he was responsible for appointing ten of the eighteen board members involved in the hiring process. The left-leaning Transit Riders Union condemned the secrecy surrounding the selection, stating, “A transparent, thorough vetting process is crucial for public trust.” The group also pointed out that the CEO position requires administrative expertise, rather than a political background like Constantine’s.
David Scott, spokesman for the progressive group Seattle Subway, called the nomination “a massive breach of ethical standards,” arguing that the board failed to include public input in the hiring process. Some critics are renewing calls to restructure Sound Transit’s governance, replacing its appointed board with one elected by voters.
Republicans have blasted Constantine for his failure to address rampant crime and drug use on public transit. A recent study found meth in 100% of air samples and 98% of surface samples on transit vehicles, while fentanyl was detected in nearly half of surface samples. Passenger assaults have surged by over 53%, and attacks on transit workers have spiked by 80% since 2023.
Additionally, Constantine’s past decisions as King County Executive raise further concerns. He spearheaded the purchase of a former Red Lion hotel for $9 million to house the homeless, only for the building to remain unused due to meth contamination. The property now sits in the path of a planned light rail expansion and is slated for demolition.
The board is scheduled to vote Thursday on Constantine’s appointment, with Constantine expected to recuse himself from the vote. If confirmed, he is expected to step down as county executive.
