On July 19, the Municipal League of King County released its nonpartisan evaluations of 122 legislative, judicial and local candidates, including the 36th District's four candidates for the Aug. 17 primaries.

In the race for 36th District Representative Position 2, democratic incumbent Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson was rated Very Good while her challenger, Republican Jill England, received a Not Qualified rating.

In the 36th District State Senator race, incumbent Democrat Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles was given an Outstanding rating while her challenger, Republican Leslie Klein, was rated Not Qualified.

To determine candidate ratings, volunteers throughout King County have joined the Municipal League's Candidate Evaluation Committees to study the public record, review candidate questionnaires, speak with references and conduct interviews with candidates, according to a Municipal League of King County press release.

Committee members rate each candidate on four criteria: involvement, character, effectiveness and knowledge. The possible ratings are: Outstanding, Very Good, Good, Adequate, Not Qualified and Insufficient Information to Rate.

The nonpartisan ratings process is similar to a job interview and investigates each candidate's potential to be effective in the office he or she seeks and to beneficially serve the community, according to the press release.

Political affiliations or stances on particular issues are not considered during the League rating process, according to the press release. The Municipal League attempted to contact every candidate in a contested race. Candidates were rated even if they declined to participate.

According to the Municipal League, Kohl-Welles' Outstanding rating means she has made numerous outstanding contributions requiring skills related to the office, is a path-finding and respected leader, and brings knowledge and creativity to issues facing the office.

Dickerson's Very Good rating means she makes significant contributions, is a skilled builder of consensus, inspires confidence in the way she would serve, and is thorough and attentive to issues, according to the Municipal League.

According to the Municipal League, the Not Qualified ratings of Klein and England means they do not appear engaged, have records that casts doubt on their ability to be productive, have not demonstrated ability to deal with the responsibilities of office, have narrow focuses, have inflexible attitudes or are otherwise troubling.

Complete ratings for all races are available online at www.munileague.org.