It’s time for STB to prepare its 2013 primary endorsements. As always, if there any non-obvious races with strong pro-transit, pro-density candidates please let us know, with links, in the comments.

32 Replies to “Call for Endorsements”

  2. The Stranger just endorsed Sawant over Conlin. This is basically an anti-Conlin editorial. Frankly, I don’t understand it. From a transit standpoint, I think he has been outstanding. He seems to understand why, exactly, the Roosevelt station fiasco was such a mess (hint: it had to do with communication, not policy). He also has pushed hard for a bridge across I-5 at Northgate as well as a station at 125th/130th NE. I’ll admit I’m a little more focused on these areas because I know them well, but from a transit standpoint, I would like to hear from other folks if they feel the same way.

    1. I read the Stranger endorsement of Sawant as more about their preference for a strong lefty on the council than a repudiation of Conlin on policy. They did ding him hard for his anti-McGinn (and arguably anti-transit) stance on the DBT. If you view the City Council as blocking good policies coming out of the mayor’s office, that makes sense.

      1. They’ve been anti-Conlin for a while. Well, Goldy (I forget his real name) has been anti-Conlin. When he does something they like (such as supporting higher density) they suggest it is a miracle; when he does something they hate, they compare him to someone else who is bald. I don’t get it, personally. As much as The Stranger (especially Goldy) tries to harp on The Seattle Times about being out of touch, I think their editorial staff really misses the ball sometimes, even though I largely agree with them.

    2. I agree completely. That part of the Stranger endorsements editorial was very disappointing. Trashing Conlin on transit is completely counterproductive. I think they are focused on the DBT at the expense of everything else, which is crazy at this point in the process.

      I also think Sawant is so far outside of the mainstream that having her on the council would amount to a wasted vote and be counterproductive for lefties. I would not vote for her even if Conlin weren’t as strong on transit as he is.

      1. +1. I’ve exchanged emails with Conlin a number of times, and he’s one of the more rational inmates in this asylum.

    3. I think Brian Carver deserves a look from the STB ed board. It’s better to have someone backing up the mayor’s transit agenda rather than merely voting for it when push comes to shove. Conlin has been a divisive force on the city council, to the detriment of transit.

      He is also nowhere near progressive. He voted against the sick leave ordinance. Very few remember now, but he was also a vote to remove the $400 lid on individual contributions to council candidates. Why not choose a dependable champion for transit over a begrudging vote for transit?

    4. Even though I’m pro NHL/NBA arena and have agreements with Sawant, I can confortably vote for Conlin if he is pro light rail expansion/pro mass transit.

    5. I have been impressed with Conlin’s transit positions of late. But he did an unforgivable thing in signing the Term Sheet with WSDOT against the Mayor’s wishes. Because of that, the city is on the hook for untold millions in cost overruns on the Deep Bore Tunnel that should have never been built.

      Conlin, despite his good works of late, is part of the cabal that is beholden to business interests and the elite and will not put the interest of the citizens first. This cabal has chosen to obstruct the Mayor in any way possible and blame the mayor for “not being a team player”. That is not the value I want in a representative.

    6. Since I started paying attention Richard Conlin has been one of transit and urban living’s greatest ally on the council. He hasn’t been perfect, but he’s pretty close. I’m a supporter and donor to his campaign. In my opinion a council without him would be bad news for those who share the values of this blog.

      NOTE: I am NOT on the STB editorial board, this opinion is mine and mine only.

    1. Not that it matters this time, but it will take a good running start to make the right thing happen next year.

    2. Do people in his district actually use public transportation? Don’t they take Uber limos to work?

      1. His district includes much more than just Medina. It’s pretty much the entire northern half of the Eastside, not all of which is wealthy. He’s screwing over a substantial number of his own constituents, and I hope enough of them realize it to make a difference next year.

      2. Well, the Medina/Hunts Point/Yarrow Point wealthy enclave in his district is getting TWO fancy new in-lane platform bus stations as part of the 520 rebuild as well as three lid parks, while over in Montlake they’re getting, uh….

  4. Hi – I just want to bring to your to the Mayor’s race in Mukilteo. Many residents would welcome increased opportunities for regional commuting, and the city will be the focus of major transit changes if the ferry terminal is relocated in the future. Jennifer Gregerson is running a close race for Mayor of Mukilteo. She’s strong on transit, supports a regional connector bike lane that another candidate opposes. She earned her master’s in urban planning at UW in 2010 and helped write the first feasibility study for Seattle bike share. Jennifer Gregerson deserves your endorsement.

  5. Steve Kasner is challenging Kevin Wallace for his spot on Bellevue City Council. I met Mr. Kasner at a mutual friend’s grad party at the Bellevue Towers and he seemed very knowledgeable about density, road issues in downtown Bellevue, and his wife is a transit planner in some capacity. I know how much this blog’s followers adore Mr. Wallace, so I promised Mr. Kasner I’d mention his name on here.

    I believe this is his website: stevekasner.org

    1. Thanks for the shout out. I am running for Bellevue City Council because I don’t believe Kevin Wallace represents the best interests of those of us that live, work and play in Bellevue. In our Bellevue patch debate Wallace claimed he saved light rail in Bellevue (link here) about 20 mins
      http://bellevue.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/watch-bellevue-council-candidates-position-4-roundtable?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

      As most of you already know Wallace has delayed many of the agreements that were put in place by the prior council. His attempts to reroute eastlink line for his own interests were in his own words were “bad optics”. I watched him rebuff major employers who came to the council to move forward quickly so that their employees could have a safe and reliable way to get to their jobs.

      I would welcome scrutiny on our race because I believe that eastlink should be built correctly and the smoke screen of cost savings should be dropped because this is a long term investment for the entire eastside. Thanks for listening and check out my website stevekasner,org of comment on my Facebook page Steve Kasner for Bellevue City Council. I have been endorsed by the Seattle Times and I hope this blog will reach the same conclusion. Thanks for listening and have a great day.

      1. Steve Kasner’s comments above demonstrate his ignorance of the Eastlink planning process. Wallace worked hard to make sure that the rail integrated well with the neighborhoods that live along the route. Wallace helped get to a final agreement that serves the public AND saved Bellevue (and Sound Transit) taxpayers a significant amount of money. This agreement was unanimously approved by both the Bellevue City Council and the Sound Transit Board. Sound Transit’s top leadership publicly praised Wallace’s efforts. Kasner’s comments about Wallace re-routing the alignment for his own interests is nothing short of libelous. As an attorney in the State of Washington, the ethical rules require him to provide candor and honesty in his dealings with third parties. His comments here cross that ethical line.

        Additionally, under Kasner’s skewed world view, his fiduciary obligation to Bellevue tax payers is not important. And his dubious claims about being a good listener are only true because he spends so much time listening to his own voice. This is demonstrated in his muni league rating of “adequate.” The fact that he served on the muni board demonstrates that those who truly know him, loathe him. Perhaps Mr. Kasner should also share with readers about his premature departure from service on the Bellevue parks commission. Talk about ethical challenges . . .

  6. Nathan Schlicher, in the 26th. It’s a special election for state Senate, primary and general. If Schlicher loses, it doesn’t matter what Rodney Tom does, because the Republicans will have a stable majority for the 2014 session.

    1. Actually, the R’s would still need at least one crossover D. Right now, they have two (including Tim Sheldon).

  8. Rod Dembowski for King County District 1.

    a href=”http://vote4rod.com/pages/123/rod-on-the-issues/”>Rod’s Stand on Infrastructure

  9. Richard Conlin (along with McGinn) has been a real champion on transit oriented development, supporting the recent Transit Communities Comp Plan amendments, micro-apartments, etc.

    I respect Sawant but wish she had not run against Conlin. Also the $15 min wage is certainly needed for big, successful businesses but it would shut down many struggling small businesses. Unfortunately we are getting more and more into a 2 tier economy.

    1. I would like whichever challenger STB endorses to not let their concern for poor riders become a burden on Metro. Ask them if they’ll support making the low-income fare option available only through ORCA product.

  11. Two races to watch are Nigel Herbig running against a conservative opponent for Kenmore City Council and John Resha running against another conservative in Lake Forest Park. Both are experienced in transportation issues. Herbig is a former staffer for Tim Burgess and a veteran of many campaigns for progressive pro-transit candidates. Resha is a lead Transportation staffer for the King County Council who played a key role in the development of Metro’s new strategic plan. Both will be solid additions to the regional conversation on transit issues.

    1. I just got a mailer from Nigel Herbig yesterday, in fact. Kenmore isn’t the biggest player in the transit world but we do have a lot of riders and a lot of potential as we re-develop our downtown. I think the race is worth a look from STB.

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