Mayoral debate skips tunnel issue, envisions city after Nickels

The two candidates for Seattle mayor — both seeking office for the first time — were asked Monday night how they would minimize the learning curve that's sure to come with taking over city government.

Joe Mallahan said he would rely on the open management style he's honed in 20 years as a business executive, and talk to leaders.

"I have a lot of experience learning," he said, adding, "I've learned a lot in the last several weeks."

Mike McGinn said he would depend on his 20 years working in the community as a neighborhood and environmental leader.

"I don't believe there's a school for mayors," he said. "I think the school I've gone to is local politics."

Both McGinn and Mallahan said they would hustle if elected to hire a deputy mayor who knows a lot about local politics.

Monday night's debate at the downtown Seattle library was a departure from the campaign's focus on the candidates' disagreement over whether to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a $4.2 billion tunnel project.

McGinn, who campaigned almost solely on his opposition to the tunnel in his primary election run, didn't even bring up the tunnel in his opening statement. In his closing statement he discussed it only after Mallahan brought it up. Mallahan supports the tunnel.

Answer by answer Monday night, the candidates laid out what their administrations would look like and how they would govern in a post-Greg Nickels era.

"I don't think we need to just keep doing what we're doing with a little tweak here and there," said McGinn, speaking about how he would approach the job. "I'm a change agent, but I've aligned the changes I've worked on by what the people think is necessary."

He pointed to his support of the 2008 parks levy and his opposition to a 2007 roads-and-transit ballot measure.

Mallahan talked about ways he has "rocked the boat" as an executive at T-Mobile by finding a way to provide cheaper cellphone service to poor people and by allowing customers to pay in installments if they need to replace lost phones.

"I drive consensus," he said. "You can't shove things down people's throats ... We need to move Seattle forward and I think I'm the guy to do it."

Each candidate dodged a couple of questions. Mallahan wouldn't answer why he didn't vote in 13 elections. "All I can offer you is I promise to do better," he said.

He also skipped a question about how he would pay for Seattle's share of the tunnel project.

McGinn kicked off his campaign by saying he would support a city takeover of Seattle Public Schools if they don't improve, but Monday he wouldn't give a definite answer about a takeover.

"Maybe," he finally said, saying it would depend on the circumstances.

The tunnel may still decide the election. Mallahan has picked up most of the big-name endorsements from business, political and labor leaders, largely because of his support for the project.

Mallahan said it would be "irresponsible" to reconsider the tunnel. He said that would mean giving up the $2.4 billion the state has agreed to contribute to the project.

"My first act in office will not be to say (to the state), 'No, thank you, keep your $2.4 billion,' " he said.

McGinn believes the $2.4 billion would still be available to improve transit and surface streets.

"Just hoping that there won't be cost overruns isn't real leadership," McGinn said.

Emily Heffter: 206-464-8246 or eheffter@seattletimes.com