Foster Pepper PLLC lawyer Rod Dembowski beat out a sitting state representative, a Shoreline City Council member and 17 others to be appointed to King County Council Pos. 1 today.

Dembowski takes the seat vacated by Bob Ferguson, who was elected as the Washington State Attorney General in November. Dembowksi will face a general election for the position in November.

“Growing up in a single parent home in Renton, selling socks at swap meets to pay the bills and getting my health care from neighborhood clinics, a day like today seemed all but impossible,” said Dembowksi, who plans to attend the Kenmore and Shoreline city council meetings this evening. “But because of our shared investment in health care for the needy, public K-12 education and a top-notch public university, I was able to attain my dreams of public service. I pledge that I will do everything in my power to pass those opportunities on to the next generation and will work tirelessly to ensure King County remains the best place in the world to live, work, and raise a family.”

The district represents citizens of Kenmore, Bothell, Shoreline and areas of Woodinville, Kirkland and north Seattle. District No. 1 has a population of 214,883, according to the King County Districting Committee.

“I congratulate Councilmember Rod Dembowski on his appointment as the new representative of King County Council District 1,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “I have known Councilmember Dembowski for many years and have admired his work as an activist, an attorney and a community volunteer. Rod has worked in County government, as an aide to former Executive Gary Locke, has practiced as a lawyer for a dozen years, and also brings a long record of public service to his new role.”

Dembowski attended George Town University and clerked for the Washington State Attorney General’s office during law school. He has also served as a policy analyst for the King County executive.

“I am thankful to the King County Council for their faith in my ability to join them as a colleague in public service,” said Dembowski. “I am so grateful to the many endorsers and organizations that supported me in the appointment process, especially the many state representatives, mayors and city council members.”

Dembowski was supported by Woodinville’s mayor and chair of the Eastside Transportation Partnership Bernie Talmas, along with Renton mayor and president of the Sound Cities Association, Dennis Law, among others.

He was among three finalists, including State Rep. Cindy Ryu (D-Shoreline) and Shoreline City Councilman Will Hall.   “I look forward to working with Representative Ryu in the Legislature on behalf of the citizens of King County and I hope to work with Councilman Hall as we develop regional plans that benefit our suburban cities,” said Dembowksi.

Kenmore Mayor David Baker was also among the first 13 candidates to apply for the vacant seat.

“I am honored to have been given the opportunity to work on behalf of the residents of District 1 and all of King County,” said Dembowksi, who has already raised more than $70,000 for the race next fall to hold his new seat.

More than 100 people attended his very successful campaign kickoff yesterday at the Meadowbrook Community Center, where supporters packed the auditorium, according to a spokesman for Dembowski. After the appointment, Attorney General Bob Ferguson immediately announced his endorsement of Dembowski for the position.