Oh, snap! It looks like the rumors were true--the Times reports that Ron Sims, current King County Executive, will indeed be heading to Washington D.C. to take a federal job as Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The position is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. We found a handy HUD organizational flowchart [pdf] showing generally where Sims' new job will fit into the hierarchy; the department's mission is "to increase homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination," according to HUD.gov . The news means that Sims will not be running for a fourth term as King County Executive, leaving councilman Larry Phillips running for the seat as of yet unopposed. UPDATE: Sims just released his official statement on the nomination. more ›