Things have simmered down a bit since the primary elections, when Port Commission President Gael Tarleton and Majority State leader Noel Frame won out over a packed race of hopefuls. Now, the field is decidedly more condensed, simplistic and, as a result, may gear up to be much more competitive.

Yesterday, Tarleton unleashed a batch of endorsements which she reaped from the losing candidates. From Brett Phillips' camp, she received the endorsement of King County Assessor Lloyd Hara and former Seattle City Councilmembers Jan Drago and Peter Steinbreuck. From Fathi, Monisha Harrell, Al Garman, Yusuf Cabdi and Crystal Fincher.

Also keep in mind that Tarleton has already won the endorsement from the person she hopes to take the place of, Mary Lou Dickerson, D-36.

Frame for her part has the endorsement of the exiting governor, Gov. Christine Gregoire, Progressive Majority (where she is State Director), Washington Bus (of which she is a founding board member), American Federation of Teachers, King County Labor Council progressive Fuse Foundation, the Sierra Club, Former King County Executive Ron Sims and Bob Hasegawa.

If you can't make a clear distinction in the difference between each candidate's endorsements, perhaps a look at their media endorsements will shed a more simplified light. The Seattle Times endorsed Tarleton for the primaries, while the Stranger endorsed Frame. It seems the more established insiders are on Tarleton's side, and the more progressive groups -- fittingly, given her current position -- support Frame. Though of course, that is a bit too simplified, given that Frame also has the endorsement of some large unions as well.

Prior to the primaries, the Municipal League of King County gave Tarleton an "Outstanding" rating, the highest, and gave Frame a "Very Good," the second highest.