Democratic groups withhold blessing from candidate Nickels

Although a second term for Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels appears inevitable, he is not proving especially popular among the city's liberal Democratic groups that helped elect him four years ago.

Over the past week and a half, three out of five Democratic legislative-district organizations snubbed the mayor by refusing to endorse him for the Sept. 20 primary election. The 43rd, 46th and 36th District groups represent the entire city north of the Ship Canal, plus Capitol Hill, Magnolia and Queen Anne.

Nickels did win endorsements from the 34th District Democrats of West Seattle, where he lives, and the 37th District, covering Rainier Valley, Columbia City and Madrona.

Richard Kelley, chairman of the 43rd District Democrats, cautioned against reading too much into the snubs.

In 2001, Democratic groups strongly backed Nickels to stave off an opponent, Mark Sidran, whose political leanings were slightly more conservative. This year, the mayor faces seven little-known challengers.

"This time, people feel like it's a free vote because none of these people can beat him [Nickels]. It was a comfortable way for people to send him a message that they'd like to see him work harder at reflecting their values in their second term," Kelley said.

Resentment of Nickels — centering on his developer-friendly agenda and perceived aloofness toward neighborhoods — was one clear theme to emerge from the midsummer round of Democratic endorsements in City Hall races.

Conlin strongly backed

A second story line was the overwhelming support for City Councilman Richard Conlin, whom many observers had perceived as the most vulnerable incumbent. Conlin trounced his main rival, Port of Seattle Commissioner Paige Miller, sweeping every Democratic endorsement by wide margins.

The vulnerable tag could now be affixed to Councilman Richard McIver, the budget chairman and only African-American council member. McIver was able to garner just two endorsements from the Democratic groups, and he shared those with County Councilman Dwight Pelz.

Pelz won sole endorsements in two other districts. One district handed a dual endorsement to Pelz and Robert Rosencrantz, a former housing official also mounting a credible campaign.

Pelz benefited from his many years on the County Council and in the Legislature, as well as from his work for Howard Dean's presidential bid, which proved extremely popular in Seattle and brought new blood to the Democratic organizations.

Coveted endorsements

Though the mayoral and council races are nonpartisan, the blessing of the Democratic district groups is highly coveted.

They provide volunteers and mailings crucial in primaries where voter turnout typically runs below 40 percent. The groups, which meet in muggy church basements and school cafeterias, offer a summer sounding board for candidates at a time when most of the public isn't paying attention to local politics.

In 2001, Democratic Party support was a key element in Nickels' 3,000-vote margin over Sidran.

Nickels cashed in a lifetime of party activism, and his supporters that year portrayed Sidran as a pseudo-Democrat. But this year, the party faithful are feeling a bit taken for granted.

Take the scene at Salmon Bay School cafeteria Thursday night, where about 55 Democrats gave Nickels the Ballard version of a Bronx cheer.

Former University of Washington professor Al Runte, a political neophyte, received more support than the mayor, though he did not garner enough votes for an endorsement. The 36th District includes Ballard, Magnolia and Queen Anne.

Runte argued that "American elections should not be coronations, and a viable candidate does not have to be a professional politician." That resonated with activists who deem Nickels as imperial, unresponsive and too closely allied with developers.

One Democrat rose and said he would yield his speaking time during the endorsement process to the mayor. "He's not here? What a surprise," the man quipped, to raucous laughter.

The scene was similar at the 43rd District meeting, which drew more than 100 people to University Baptist Church last week, and the 46th District gathering at Olympic View Elementary School the week before, where about 120 people voted against an endorsement of Nickels, even though no other candidate was on the ballot.

Kelley, the 43rd District chairman, said Nickels' pro-development agenda has irritated some liberal activists who tend to dominate the district organizations. "South Lake Union development, and in particular the trolley, are very, very unpopular in the district," he said.

The 43rd District stretches through the center of Seattle, including the University District, Capitol Hill, Wallingford and Fremont.

Viet Shelton, Nickels' campaign manager, said the discontent flowed partly from the mayor's decisive leadership style.

"There are some folks ... who just are in love with Seattle process, and the mayor has been very clear about wanting to make some progress and some decisions," Shelton said.

At the 37th District Democrats' meeting, Nickels got an easy endorsement after a plug from Greg Rodriguez, former chairman of the King County Democrats. The mayor has "done a great job of balancing development needs and neighborhood interests," Rodriguez said.

Nickels also hopes to win the King County Democrats' endorsement later this month, Shelton said.

He also was endorsed last week by the Sierra Club and the Alki Foundation, the political arm of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce.

Jim Brunner: 206-515-5628

Bob Young: 206-464-2174