Wallingford resident and T-Mobile vice-president Joe Mallahan wrote a big check this week to his campaign for Seattle mayor, so we can assume he's serious about seeking his first public office. But you wouldn't know it from his availability his first week on the campaign trail.

Mallahan was the only mayoral candidate not at this morning's Alki Foundation breakfast forum. The Alki Foundation is the fundraising arm of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce and uses the forum as a way to make its recommendations. It's also a chance to address a room full of political heavyweights and potential donors.

I've been trying to reach Mallahan for a few days with no luck. Both Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, I couldn't get him on the phone. It's not the first time I've had trouble reaching him.

His assistant campaign manager, Susanna Williams, said Mallahan is finishing up some responsibilities at his job and had "an unavoidable conflict" this morning.

Williams met Mallahan two weeks ago, after her own campaign to get former Seattle City Councilman Peter Steinbrueck to run for mayor failed. Williams started the Facebook group, "Peter Steinbrueck, for the love of Seattle, RUN FOR MAYOR!" The group garnered more than 800 members, but Steinbrueck ultimately decided not to run.

Mallahan did file his financial paperwork with the city this week, which includes information about his personal net worth. Besides his more-than $100,000 annual salary at T-Mobile, Mallahan reported between $40,000 and $99,999 a year in dividends and interest, more than $100,000 in his bank account, and a list of 29 stocks, bonds and mutual funds, including a lot of stock in wireless companies AT&T and Sprint Nextel.

According to the state Public Disclosure Commission, which oversees campaign fundraising, Mallahan won't be able to get his $200,000 back if he doesn't spend it all. He can give it to the state, a political party, a charity, or save it for another campaign for the same office.

Other no-shows to this morning's forum: County Executive candidate and former TV anchor Susan Hutchison, Sierra Club leader Mike O'Brien, who is running for City Council Position #8, and Seattle City Councilmember Nick Licata.