Port retiree to direct state's elections
New primary system among Handy's duties under Sam Reed

CHRIS CLOUGH THE OLYMPIAN

Washington state heads into the election season with races for major federal and state offices on the ballot, the first change in its primary system in 70 years, and a new person heading election operations. 

 
Nick Handy, former executive director of the Port of Olympia, is now director of elections under Secretary of State Sam Reed.

"This is a significant election for a lot of reasons. One is that it's the first presidential election since problems surfaced in Florida," Handy said. "After Florida, there are more doubts and questions of how the election is administered.

"The state of Washington has never had problems like Florida, but every state was impacted by the issues that came out of Florida. It's our job to increase public confidence in the election system."

Handy was port director for eight years before his tenure came to a tumultuous end in December.

The controversy centered on an increase in the pension obligation owed by the port to the state Retirement Systems because of an $80,000 balloon payment due to Handy.

As director of elections, Handy manages a staff of 15 full-time employees and 20 who work on a part-time or interim basis during peak election activity.

The state has 3.6 million registered voters.

The elections division will receive about $60 million from the federal government for this election cycle and upgrades over several years. The money is distributed through Handy's office to election programs and county auditors.

After leaving the port, Handy planned to pursue a private law practice. He also applied for the city manager position in Olympia and for executive director of the Economic Development Council of Thurston County.

In January, he worked as a lobbyist during the legislative session for Reed's office, earning $19,950 for a three-month stint.

"I went to Nick because I knew he was finishing at the port," said Reed, a Republican. "I begged him to come on board rather than play golf like he had planned."

Handy took the consultant job for the session.

"Basically, I did that project, and after that I planned to take a break for a while," Handy said.

A string of high-level departures from Reed's office persuaded him to hire Handy permanently, Reed said.

Dean Logan left for the top elections position with King County, where his salary increased from $85,000 to $115,000 a year.

Bill Huennekens followed Logan to King County, and Patrick McDonald was called up in the Army Reserve.

David Elliott was promoted to elections director in December but left four months later for health reasons.

"Sam was left without an elections director six months from the presidential election and with seven months left on his term if he's not re-elected," Handy said. "Going into a third national search to try and hire someone for what might be four or five months didn't make sense."

Handy was offered the job.

"As far as I'm concerned, this is what's best for the people of Washington state," Reed said. "To be able to get someone young, talented and with leadership ability is very fortunate."

Reed and Handy have a long relationship politically and as friends.

Both have long family ties to the Wenatchee area and have worked on numerous campaigns together. They recruited and managed the campaigns for former Thurston County prosecutor Bernardean Broadus and county auditor Kim Wyman.

Handy has supported Reed's election in the past.

"I've been behind Sam all the way for more than 30 years," Handy said.

Reed was Thurston County auditor for 23 years before becoming secretary of state after the 2000 election. Two candidates have expressed interest in Reed's current position: Democrat Laura Ruderman and Libertarian Jacqueline Passey.

Handy said Reed is one of several people to whom he has given financial support in their run for elected office.

"In an election year, I'll donate $1,500 to $2,000 for 10 or 12 different candidates," Handy said. "I'm a generous giver to candidates of both parties."

Reed said Handy's political contributions, which date back to long before Handy took his current post, had no bearing on Handy getting the elections job.

"I wouldn't choose someone for such a vital position because of a donation four years ago," Reed said.

As director of elections, Handy takes a politically neutral position.

He started the job May 10 with an annual salary of $85,000. He earned $98,000 a year as port executive director.

Handy has experience working for elected officials at the port. He also ran for statewide office, commissioner of public lands, in 1992. He lost in the primary.

Paula Casey, his wife, is a Superior Court judge. She is up for re-election in the fall, seeking her sixth four-year term.

Handy acknowledged that he is new to the intricacies of running an election from the secretary of state's perspective, but he downplayed his inexperience.

"Director of elections is a leadership, management position," he said. "I have a staff of very skilled technical people that understand the ins and outs of the election process."

The job parallels his experience at the port, Handy said.

"I didn't know a lot about shipping, aviation or the marine terminal when I started," he said. "I had people at the port that I relied on, and I provided the leadership."

As for the new primary, which the state adopted after the blanket primary was ruled unconstitutional, Handy said, "We have a brand new primary for the first time in 70 years, and we know it's one not popular with voters. This is the first time in a primary that voters will be asked to pick and vote only on a party ballot."

The new primary might hurt voter turnout, Handy said.

"The general election is expected to have a high turnout and, given what's at stake, that makes sense," Handy said. "There's some speculation that people won't be comfortable with the new primary system and will not choose to participate. People for all of their lives have been able to vote for any candidate of their choosing under the blanket primary. That's no longer the case, and we're getting calls to our hot line every day."

The state and county auditors are working to combat primary jitters.

"We've had seven work sessions with county auditors all around the state to prepare for the new primary," Handy said. "We'll spend $1.6 million on a media campaign to educate voters about the changes. All 39 counties have voter outreach and education programs."

Handy said he has mended his relationship with the port. "I loved my work there, and I'm in close contact with the staff down there and have been available to John Wolfe on a number of occasions. That whole thing is behind us."

Wolfe took over as executive director after Handy's departure.

As for his future in the elections job: "I really don't have any expectations for how long I'll be in the position," Handy said. "My first goal is to make it through the general election, then the end of Sam's term in December. If he's re-elected, then I'll re-evaluate my options."