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Spellman ran unsuccessfully for [[mayor]] of Seattle early in 1964.<ref>"Seattle Election Returns," ''The Seattle Times,'' February 12, 1964, p. 4.</ref>Then he campaigned for [[Daniel Evans|Daniel Jackson Evans]] in Evans' successful bid to become governor which came despite the heavy losses sustained by the [[Barry Goldwater]] presidential campaign later in 1964. Spellman was elected to the three-member King County Commission in 1967. With the home-rule charter adopted in 1968, the office of County Executive was established and Spellman was elected in 1969 as the county's first executive. He defeated Albert Dean Rosellini (1910-2011), who had preceded Dan Evans as governor.<ref>

Spellman ran unsuccessfully for [[mayor]] of Seattle early in 1964.<ref>"Seattle Election Returns," ''The Seattle Times,'' February 12, 1964, p. 4.</ref>Then he campaigned for [[Daniel Evans|Daniel Jackson Evans]] in Evans' successful bid to become governor which came despite the heavy losses sustained by the [[Barry Goldwater]] presidential campaign later in 1964. Spellman was elected to the three-member King County Commission in 1967. With the home-rule charter adopted in 1968, the office of County Executive was established and Spellman was elected in 1969 as the county's first executive. He defeated Albert Dean Rosellini (1910-2011), who had preceded Dan Evans as governor.<ref>

{{cite web|url=https://www.q13fox.com/news/former-washington-governor-john-d-spellman-dies-at-91|title=Former Washington governor John D. Spellman dies at 91|publisher=q13fox.com|date=January 16, 2018|accessdate=August 15, 2021}}

{{cite web|url=https://www.q13fox.com/news/former-washington-governor-john-d-spellman-dies-at-91|title=Former Washington governor John D. Spellman dies at 91|publisher=q13fox.com|date=January 16, 2018|accessdate=August 15, 2021}}</ref>

Spellman worked to consolidate departments and to replace the old patronage system with one based on  merit.<ref name="Tribune"/> Spellman supervised the building the domed station, the Kingdome, that provided the first home for the former [[Seattle Seahawks]] and the current [[Seattle Mariners]], and initiated early efforts to deal with uncontrolled growth in the sprawling county. He was re-elected as the county executive in 1973 and 1977.<ref name="Seattle"/>

Spellman worked to consolidate departments and to replace the old patronage system with one based on  merit.<ref name="Tribune"/> Spellman supervised the building the domed station, the Kingdome, that provided the first home for the former [[Seattle Seahawks]] and the current [[Seattle Mariners]], and initiated early efforts to deal with uncontrolled growth in the sprawling county. He was re-elected as the county executive in 1973 and 1977.<ref name="Seattle"/>