Incumbent Mayor Greg Nickels has a national reputation for environmental work, and his campaign is busy pointing out his accomplishments, including:

• The light rail line


• Improved recycling


• Leadership of a national effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in cities

So it's worth watching which of the city's big environmental groups give Nickels their endorsement.

Two such groups announced endorsements this week. The Washington Conservation Voters endorsed Nickels, but the Sierra Club gave its endorsement to Michael McGinn, the former chair of the club's local chapter. In the past, the Sierra Club endorsed Nickels.

Neither group made an endorsement in the Seattle City Council's Position 4 race, where Sally Bagshaw, David Bloom, Dorsol Plants, Thomas Tobin and Brian Carver are seeking the seat being vacated by Jan Drago.

The Sierra Club's political chair, Chris Ordonez, said that while both Bloom and Bagshaw were good candidates, "we're looking for an environmental champion."

In other races:

Position 2:
Sierra Club -- Richard Conlin
WCV -- Richard Conlin

Position 6:
Sierra Club -- Nick Licata
WCV -- Jessie Israel

Position 8:
Sierra Club -- Mike O'Brien
WCV -- Mike O'Brien and Jordan Royer