After the primary, we expected to write a tepid endorsement for Mayor.  Mike McGinn’s philosophy seemed to err toward buses far more than our usual preference of a mixed investment that includes rail. But as we grew to understand McGinn more, we realized that his positions were more influenced by right-of-way than by mode. He wants bus lanes so buses don’t get stuck in traffic.  He wants light rail through the west side of the city, instead of a streetcar that would travel in the same lanes as cars.

Although this emphasis on right-of-way should not obscure the other differences between buses and trains, there is no doubt that high-quality transit investment is a major stated priority of Mike McGinn.  Indeed, the major deficiency in Metro’s RapidRide is a shortage of dedicated bus lanes, and McGinn envisions the capital investment necessary to take this important step.

McGinn’s highly visible promise to put another light rail line on the ballot raises many questions.  His plan would, at a minimum, complete a study — conducted by Sound Transit — to answer these questions sooner rather than later.  It is the first step toward getting more light rail faster, which is the always the first priority of this blog.  With luck, McGinn’s plans could yield us much, much more.

Joe Mallahan, his opponent, only offered the ridiculous assertion that voting on light rail would put an education bond measure at risk.   He is apparently a blank slate on transit; his statements have been either entirely banal boilerplate about fighting for more bus service or unwarranted attacks on streetcars.  Furthermore, he has accepted contributions from anti-transit sources like John Stanton.  It’s especially difficult to tell how a Mallahan administration would turn out, but the signs are worrying, and the chances of further progress are slim.

McGinn’s campaign has focused heavily on the SR-99 tunnel.  The editorial board believes that the tunnel is poor policy and a terrible investment, although we disagree on just how bad.  Regardless, the State has already reneged on several key elements of the original tunnel deal, such as expanded transit funding and the notorious cost overrun provision.  The City should not accept these unilateral changes without a fight.

McGinn has committed to finishing the First Hill Streetcar that is in planning stages. Mallahan can’t seem to make up his mind — implying that a cost over-run of even a dollar justifies canceling the project (he doesn’t apply that fiscal logic to the SR-99 tunnel).

McGinn believes in a serious investment in light rail and in intelligent improvements in bus service.   Nickels’s commitment to transit is a tough act to follow, but McGinn is the best candidate to try just that.

Vote Mike McGinn for Mayor.

Our editorial board is Martin H. Duke, Ben Schiendelman, and John Jensen, with valued input from the rest of the staff. Read our Seattle City Council and King County Executive endorsements.

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Before we get into some of the new endorsements, I’d like to just recap some endorsements from the primary that are still relevant.

Our editorial board is Martin H. Duke, Ben Schiendelman, and John Jensen, with valued input from the rest of the staff.

Dow Constantine for King County Executive. Councilmember Constantine has been a longtime supporter of aggressively expanding our bus and rail service.  He has experience with both the King County and State of Washington legislatures, giving him good contacts in both.  Furthermore, he is unique in having a Master of Urban Planning degree from UW, giving him sophisticated insights into one of the most critical issues confronting the County. He has been deeply involved in the details of finding a solution to the Metro budget crisis.

His opponent, Susan Hutchison, has no experience in government.  She has been evasive and vague when answering questions about key transportation issues.  When she has gotten at all specific, the answers have been quite worrying to transit advocates.

We will also add that this is the most important race in this election cycle.  The office may be the most important one — at any level — in terms of impact on transit, as the Executive runs King County Metro, the foot ferry system, and appoints 10 of the 18 members of the Sound Transit Board of Directors.  This a huge responsibility that deeply impacts the experience of anyone who uses the services of any of these agencies.  There is also a large difference between the candidates.

Richard Conlin for Seattle City Council Position 2. Conlin has been a consistent friend of transit on the Council, and takes important pro-density positions.

Sally Bagshaw for Seattle City Council Position 4
Jessie Israel for Seattle City Council Position 6
While both of these candidates have essentially acceptable views on transit and land use, their opponents do not.  Bagshaw opponent David Bloom, like his ally John Fox, basically opposes all large infrastructure and development projects.  Bloom’s policies would result in skyrocketing housing prices, never-ending sprawl, and no alternative to buses sitting in traffic.   Israel’s opponent, Councilmember Nick Licata, is a progressive voice, but his skepticism of the establishment has led him to foolishly flirt with anti-rail figures in the past.

Mike O’Brien for Seattle City Council Position 8. Mike O’Brien is a committed environmentalist that understands the need for dense, walkable, transit-oriented neighborhoods.  His transportation plan is both progressive and, avoiding platitudes, focuses on areas where the City Council can actually make a difference.

You can also see our past endorsements for both Constantine and the City Council Candidates.  New endorsements will follow.

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