Environmental concerns and labor rights were the primary issues driving the endorsements by the 34th District Democrats, according to chair district officer, Tim Nuse.

Endorsements were made at a July 8 meeting attended by 200 members.

Nuse explained that the choice of candidates was based on finding someone “politically savvy enough to actually get something accomplished on those issues.”

They also sought a candidate with compassion and experience, someone who “can create support services if someone suddenly finds themselves without a job or without a home,” said Nuse.

The 34th District Democrats had previously endorsed Dow Constantine for King County Executive.

Nuse explained: “There is only one candidate in the race that will prove our needs and has a proven tract record of showing that: Constantine.”

The Democrats gave a dual endorsement to current Mayor Greg Nickels, as well as Mike McGinn.

“When it comes to the mayor’s race, we’re looking for someone who understands the complexities of city government and how it affects West Seattle,” said Nuse.

This means someone who understands the concerns of the West Seattle Bridge, how to keep the Puget Sound clean and who will “stand up and fight for the environment and labor,” Nuse said.

In addition to the mayor’s race, three other ballot measures are up for a vote this fall: Seattle Referendum No. 1, the bag tax; Burien Proposition No. 1, the annexation; and State Initiative 1033, concerning state, county and city revenue.

The Democrats had strong opinions against the latter, which Nuse claims places “restrictions on how government can raise money on the services we enjoy, so it was an easy answer to vote no on.”

There was a strong vote yes for the North Highline South Annexation Area to be annexed to the city of Burien.

The “green bag” initiative was left undecided.

“It’s more complex. People are supportive of reducing disposable bags in stores in Seattle, (but) how it happens creates dissent,” said Nuse.

Some felt the 20-cent fee is not enough; others thought it was just right and others still thought it would put too much of a strain on lower-income residents to purchase canvas bags.

The reason there were so many “dual endorsements” is because the process requires a two-thirds vote from credentialed participants, who can only vote for one candidate at a time. There are sometimes multiple ballots before a candidate is chosen.

If no single candidate can be agreed upon, it is a “dual endorsement” where both candidates receive approval from the district.

In order for a candidate to be “credentialed” for participation in endorsement voting, he or she must be a registered voter who lives in that district and pays a membership fee.

Nuse described the endorsement process as a “well organized machine,” which finds its success from “a lot of passionate support in the neighborhoods.”

The 34th District Republicans have not released any endorsements at this time.

Here is a complete list of the 34th District Democrats’ current endorsements:

- Mayor: Greg Nickels and Mike McGinn (dual)

- Seattle City Attorney: Tom Carr

- Seattle Council Pos. 2: Richard Conlin and David Ginsberg (dual)

- Seattle Council Pos. 4: Sally Bagshaw a nd Dorsol Plants (dual)

- Seattle Council Pos. 6: Jessie Israel and Nick Licata (dual)

- Seattle Council Pos. 8: David Miller and Robert Rosencrantz (dual)

- Burien Council Pos. 2: No endorsement

- Burien Council Pos. 7: Brian Bennett

- Port Commissioner Pos. 1: No endorsement

- Port Commissioner Pos. 3: Rob Holland

- Port Commissioner Pos. 4: Max Vekich

- Seattle Ref. No. 1 (Bag Tax): No position

- Burien Prop. No 1 (Annexation): Vote YES

- State Initiative 1033: Vote NO

- Court of Appeals, Division 1, District 1 (King County): Anne Ellington