"The Fighting 43rd: No endorsements in key Seattle races"

Joel Connelly:

They've displayed differences even on whether to recite "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, so it's not surprising that contentious, very liberal 43rd District Democrats could not agree Tuesday night on a candidate endorsement for Seattle Mayor or King County Executive.

The meeting did continue a pattern of subpar showings for Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, who's been involved in Democratic politics since attending a caucus when he was 16.

The vote total for mayor in the 43rd, with 60 percent required for endorsement, went as follows:

• Sierra Club activist Mike McGinn, 49 votes.
• Mayor Greg Nickels, 37 votes;
• T-Mobile vice president Joe Mallahan, 36 votes;
• Seattle City Councilwoman Jan Drago, 15 votes;
• Ex-Sonic James Donaldson, 8 votes;

The "Fighting 43rd" did agree on a few endorsements. It's backing the reelection of Seattle City Council incumbents Nick Licata and Richard Conlin.

True to liberal traditions, the district endorsed former Church Council of Greater Seattle activist David Bloom for the council seat that Drago is vacating. Other endorsements have gone to Sally Bagshaw, who formerly headed the civil division at the King County Prosecutor's Office.

No endorsement was made in the contest for the seat of retiring Seattle City Councilman Richard McIver.

In the King County Executive race, incumbent County Councilmen Larry Phillips and Dow Constantine dominated the voting. But neither collected the necessary 60 percent.