The 34th District Democrats' candidate's forum is always two events in one. There's the parade of candidates with each getting a few minutes at the microphone to convince the assembled group why they ought to be the Democrats' nominee.

The 34th District Democrats often meet at The Hall at Fauntleroy, where there's also a constant hubbub in the back of the room from people exchanging political gossip, arguing the issues of the day, analyzing strategy and updating friends about the kids. The Democrats had a potluck dinner prior to the forum so they were relaxed and convivial.

This year's primary election is Aug. 21. That's when the unlimited field of candidates goes on the ballot together and only the top vote getters continue on to the general election in early November.

Ivan Weiss, chairman of the 34th District Democrats, moderated each panel of candidates and peppered them with tough questions.

City Councilwoman Jean Godden faces three challengers in her first attempt at re-election. Also running for the Position 1 seat on the council are Lauren Briel, Robert Sondheim and Joe Szwaja.

Godden said she brought maturity to the council and developed into a leader in the realms of energy, technology and environmental matters. She helped "stabilize" Seattle City Light and supported efforts to clean up the Duwamish River.

Weiss asked Godden about the need for an $8 million city study about the feasibility of not replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct, and relying on the Alaskan Way surface street and other existing streets to carry waterfront traffic.

The incumbent shifted the discussion away from the central downtown waterfront to the northern and southern ends of the viaduct. Approximately $815 million was approved to do preparatory work and Godden is anxious for construction to begin. She also urged the widening of the Spokane Street Viaduct and the building of a planned overpass on South Lander Street to carry cars and trucks over blocks of railroad tracks.

Godden is being challenged by Green Party candidate Joe Szwaja, a teacher and former city council member in Madison, Wisc. Szwaja ran as a Green Party candidate in 2000 against U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott.

Szwaja didn't attend the 34th District Democrats forum but was represented by teacher Karen Engstrom, who told the Democrats Szwaja frequently goes beyond textbooks by taking students to see the City Council in action.

Szwaja also is concerned about the power of developers in Seattle city government, she said.

Councilman Peter Steinbrueck is giving up his seat on the City Council and there are five people vying to replace him. Three of them - Al Runte, Bruce Harrell and Venus Velazquez - attended the 34th District Democrats' candidate forum.

Velazquez spent four years working in West Seattle on neighborhood plans for the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods.

She told the group she'd also helped secure $14 million for returning military veterans, two grants from the Gates Foundation to help Latino students, and promoted a levy to help families and schools.

Weiss asked many of the candidates if they'd ever supported a politician who was not a Democrat.

Velazquez admitted she voted for Ronald Reagan in 1984 and received a chorus of "oh no" from the partisan crowd.

"I was 18," she pleaded with a smile. "I haven't done it since."

Al Runte, who ran against Mayor Greg Nickels in his last election, is also candidate for the Position 3 seat on the City Council. While living in New York, Runte confessed, he voted for Sen. Jacob Javits.

Developers are "get all the advantages," Runte told the Democrats.

"It has to stop," he said "to protect the liveability and beauty of the city."

Runte supports bringing light rail to West Seattle "and all over the city," he said.

Also running for the Position 3 seat is Bruce Harrell. He's an attorney who said he's been a civil rights leader and has worked in community development. He wants to help the middle class and to empower neighborhood communities.

He supports "density bonuses" to encourage developers to build more housing units.

"I want developers to make good on their promises," he added.

Councilman David Della is being challenged for his Position 7 seat on the City Council.

Della described his childhood in Seattle and how his father was often away, working in fish canneries in Alaska. That left his mother to raise him and his siblings.

While on the City Council, Della said he's worked to reduce electricity rates, improve transportation and make the city safer.

Chairman Weiss asked Della if he was "tone deaf to environmental concerns."

It's important to protect Seattle's maritime industries, Della replied. He applauded city parks and alternative transportation.

Tim Burgess, who is running against Della, told the 34th District Democrats he's been a journalist, police officer and businessman.

"I want innovative solutions," he said.

Burgess opposes having Seattle annex North Highline. Seattle would have to hire more firefighters to protect White Center and Boulevard Park at the same time that Seattle is receiving approximately $20 million less than it previously did in revenue from the business-and-occupation tax.

"The city has its hands full," Burgess said.

Councilwoman Sally Clark, who was appointed to the City Council to replace Jim Compton, is running for her first full term. None of her opponents - Robert J. "Bob" Brown III, Judy Fenton or Stan Lippmann - attended the forum.

Clark supports painting bike lanes on Fauntleroy Way to make it safer for bicyclists.

She agrees that nightclub owners are responsible for controlling what happens inside their businesses. She did not say that responsibility extends outdoors and off the property, as has been proposed by some.

She questions the feasibility of bringing light rail to West Seattle.

"I've been told fixed rail won't work in West Seattle because of the steep hills," Clark said.

Seattle City Councilman Tom Rasmussen also is seeking re-election but no one filed to run against him. The only West Seattleite on the City Council was asked why he is bothering to campaign since he's already won de facto re-election.

Rasmussen replied he wants to be accountable and accessible.

With approximately 7,000 rental apartments recently converted to condos for sale, Rasmussen said he'd seek "protection" for affected tenants. What form such "protection" would take was not explained.

He also wants to change a billing practice in which some multifamily rental buildings have just one water meter. Tenants must then equally divide the building's water bill. Rasmussen thinks tenants should pay only for water they use in conjunction with their own unit.

King County Councilman Dow Constantine, who attended the 34th District Democrats' forum, is being challenged by recently converted Democrat Michael Goodspaceguy Nelson, who did not attend.

"I don't have a position on the colonization of space," Constantine told the Democrats, a reference to his opponent, who favors human settlements on other planets.

Constantine said transportation is his highest priority for the Eighth District, which includes West Seattle, Burien and Vashon Island. He supports spending money on new off-ramps on the Spokane Street Viaduct, Metro buses and future light rail.

He also advocated cleaning the waters of Puget Sound.

Constantine reminded his fellow Democrats he helped reform the King County elections section.

Weiss put Constantine on the spot by asking him if he is a candidate for state commissioner of public lands.

"Not at this time," Constantine said.

"Whoa," said a chorus of West Seattle Democrats, who took Constantine's answer as affirmation he would eventually run for statewide office.

With the recent sudden death of longtime Republican King County Prosecuting Attorney Norm Maleng, Democrats see a chance to win that seat for the first time in almost 60 years.

Keith Scully vowed to expand advocacy programs for victims of crime. He'd also focus more on fraud cases and go after small-time con artists as well as thieves stealing in excess of $100,000.

He would create an environmental section in the prosecuting attorney's office to stop polluters and other ecological threats. He'd assign the most experienced prosecutors to pursue environmental cases.

Scully said he supports the state Growth Management Act and has argued cases against land developers.

The candidate became excited when he talked about the need to fight gang violence.

Scully spent time as a United Nations' war crimes prosecutor going after Serbian politicians and military leaders for atrocities committed in Kosovo.

The other Democrat in the race for prosecuting attorney is Bill Sherman, who touted his "sense of justice."

Sherman called for more options for handling drug offenders.

He wants to trim what he said is "five layers of middle management" at the prosecutors office.

Sherman quoted Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, a Washington native who suggested every federal agency be required to justify its existence every five years.

Sherman said he worked on former President Bill Clinton's campaign and was appointed as a special assistant to then-Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt.

While an attorney at Davis Wright Tremaine, Sherman brought lawsuits against Exxon regarding the wreck of the Exxon Valdez in Alaska.

Tim St. Clair can be contacted at 932-0300 or timstc@robinsonnews.com.