A fundraising event, coined "The Battle for Seattle," was held Wednesday night, Sept. 30, at the Crocodile Lounge in Belltown for Mike McGinn, who is running for Seattle mayor, Dow Constantine, who is vying for the King County executive spot, and Pete Holmes who is seeking the city attorney position.

The event followed a VIP reception at Via Tribunali on Capitol Hill. The VIP reception and Battle raised nearly $15,000 for the three candidates.

McGinn will run against business executive Joe Mallahan, Constantine against Susan Hutchinson, and Holmes against Tom Carr in the Nov. 3 general election.

Nearly 200 supporters, campaign staff and volunteers at the lounge heard speeches by all three candidates and live music by The Maldives, a rock, country, folk band, and The Presidents of the United States, the popular alternative rock band. Political activist and former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic sat in with The Presidents, who played two sets.

"You have a clear choice in this race, one who has a proven ability to bring people together to solve problems," said Constantine, current King County Council chair, who told the West Seattle Herald he hit the $200,000 mark that evening in campaign funds he raised.

Referring to his opponent he added, "It's also about values. You've got your choice in this race between a candidate who is 100 percent pro-choice and one who is not. You have choice between a candidate who has supported nothing but right-wing candidates and causes over the years and one who has a clear record of progressive policy, standing up against the vast majority of this county."

"Dow's been a leader and he's got the experience," said Novoselic. "There's going to be a lot of tough decisions. He's going to make sure that some people don't fall through the cracks. That's a Democratic value. I like McGinn. These candidates made clear policy proposals regarding music, entertainment, nightlife in Seattle. That's important for economic and cultural vitality.

West Seattle residents Paul Chasan and Nate Cormier help with McGinn's campaign and were at the Crocodile Lounge. Both knew McGinn through Great City, a non-profit green urbanist group he founded.

"I'm a landscape architect and was interested in more green infrastructure for Seattle, and Mike led the campaign in that," said Cornier. "I was impressed how he took on the establishment in 'Open Space Seattle 2100.'"

Cornier was referring to Seattle's 100-year open space plan of that name.

"I was impressed with his priorities and leadership style, less pandering, and a more coherent vision of the future," he said.

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