Pro-Bike Candidates
2009 General Election Endorsements

11/11/09 Update: Endorsed candidates who were elected into office in November 2009 are listed in bold, below. Congratulations!

View Cascade's Electoral Endorsement Policies and Procedures (PDF)

After months of interviews and research, the Cascade Bicycle Club is proud to roll out its 2009 candidate endorsements. Being one of the more coveted endorsements in the Seattle area, we're used to being lobbied hard for our support, but what makes this year more interesting -- and difficult -- is the number of people we know and like who are running against each other.

This year’s local elections present a critical opportunity to support candidates who recognize the benefits of bicycling for health and transportation, and who will build bicycling infrastructure in our communities. Here are highlights on our list of pro-bike candidates whom you may see on your ballot. There are many more endorsements on their way this year, so check this page and your email inbox for updates.

We know you have many issues to consider each time you cast a vote, and we thank you for considering our recommendations. Holding candidates and elected officials accountable is central to Cascade's mission to "Create a Better Community through Bicycling." We issue endorsements because the policies that affect bicycling begin and end with our elected representatives.

Initiative 1033

I-1033 limits the growth in revenue each year for state, county, and city general funds through a formula based on the cost of inflation plus population growth.

During the current recession, revenue fell sharply because of decreased economic activity. I-1033 would limit our ability to return to previous levels of investment because the base from which revenue growth is determined would be linked to this year’s spending.

Given that most bicycling is on local roads and 92% of local road construction and maintenance are paid for with sales and property taxes, I-1033 would significantly delay if not curtail progress for bicycling in Washington’s cities.

A similar initiative passed in Colorado in 1992 and the effects were devastating. Colorado spent far less than other states to maintain its transportation infrastructure, ranking 44th based on spending per mile of highway in poor condition. More than 30 other states have rejected similar proposals.

Recommendation: Oppose

This is one of the first applications of the state Transportation Benefit District law. Notably, Burien will be asking residents to pay a $25 annual vehicle license fee for two years to fund nonmotorized transportation projects.

The City Council will use those funds for two high-priority projects from the Burien Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities Plan.

One project is a multi-use trail on 8th Ave S from South 128th St to South 136th St. The other would construct bicycle lanes on both sides of South 136th Street from Ambaum Blvd to 1st Ave South and 1st Ave South to Des Moines Memorial Drive.

Recommendation: Support

Seattle City Attorney

In 2006, Tom drafted an ordinance to address the growing risk to pedestrians and bicyclists in Seattle. This law made it a crime to violate a traffic law and kill or seriously injury someone else. Generally bad driving, like running a red light or speeding in a school zone, is no more than annoying. On rare occasion, it hurts someone. Tom worked to discourage these drivers through criminal sanctions.

As City Attorney, he also initiated a program that reduced the dismissal rate for traffic infractions from 40% to less than 10%, holding dangerous drivers – and bicyclists- accountable.

Moreover, Tom Carr is just a phone call away for Cascade staff. He’s worked closely with us on numerous cases involving motor vehicle collisions and other crimes against law abiding bicycle riders. Finally, he’s a regular bicycle commuter and has been since 2005.

Recommendation: Tom Carr for Seattle City Attorney

King County Executive

A number of candidates are seeking to replace stalwart bicycling advocate Ron Sims following his appointment as Assistant Secretary of HUD. Staff and board members have received questionnaires and interviewed all of the major candidates save TV personality Susan Hutchinson, who did not return calls or emails.

We have worked with the four candidates who pursued our endorsement for several years in varying capacities. Two are members of the legislature, Ross Hunter and Fred Jarrett, and two currently serve on the King County Council, Larry Phillips and Dow Constantine. All are viable candidates who have sought and won elected office in the past. They are all largely pro-bike, but the position of County Executive is too important for us to leave it at that. The responsibility the executive has for setting the tone on regional transportation and land use planning and completing the regional trails system can make or break the future of bicycling in King County.

The issue that drew the clearest distinctions between all of the candidates was the disposition of the BNSF Eastside corridor. Hunter and Phillips would not concede that rail-banked corridors are unequivocally preserved for rail to return and that the federal law is airtight. Both preferred leaving unused tracks on the corridor to constructing an interim trail – arguing the tracks would be a psychological reminder. Larry Phillips also sponsored and passed an ordinance last fall that stripped some county employees of their bicycle commuter tax benefit in order to draw distinctions between himself and Sims, who he was preparing to challenge. Another candidate, Senator Jarrett, who has a long history of supporting us in the legislature, made statements about the Critical Areas Ordinance and Countywide Growth Management Policies that left us troubled.

For his part, Council member Dow Constantine’s record at the county is nearly one hundred percent. Further, he’s the only candidate in the race who proposed fast-tracking the purchase of the BNSF eastside right of way and the immediate construction of a multi-use trail on the rail bed. Throughout his interview Dow drew comparisons between the active work of the Cascade Bicycle Club and policies and programs he would pursue as executive. To say we were impressed would be an understatement.

Recommendation: Dow Constantine for King County Executive

Seattle Mayor

Seattle voters have an opportunity before them, an opportunity to elect not a pro-bike mayor, but a champion for bicycling. The Cascade Bicycle Club is proud to announce its endorsement of Seattle Mayoral candidate Michael McGinn.

Michael McGinn is among the most pro-bike and sustainable transportation candidates we’ve ever worked with. Time and again he has listened to our issues, learned about our concerns and stood with us to make change. He has repeatedly taken on tough fights to advance a sustainable transportation agenda, and he has more than earned our support.

McGinn was Cascade Chapter Chair for the Sierra Club during the Bridging the Gap Streets Levy, which raised $695 million, a significant portion of which funds bicycle, pedestrian and transit improvements throughout the city. He worked with Cascade Bicycle Club to pass Seattle's Compete Streets ordinance – one of the strongest, if not the strongest, complete streets laws in the United States.

He also played a significant role in defeating the flawed roads and transit ballot measure in 2007. Seattle Great City Initiative under McGinn's leadership and Cascade Bicycle Club worked hard to pass a transit-only measure in 2008, which is funding expanded light rail, commuter train and bus service throughout the region. He also helped lead the successful Seattle Parks and Open Space Levy campaign in 2008, which gives significant funding to complete the urban trails network. Supporting McGinn doesn’t equate to supporting or opposing the waterfront tunnel. Review Cascade's position on the the Alaska Way Viaduct replacement here.

Michael McGinn is a daily bicycle commuter and has featured his support of bicycling, walking and transit strongly as a part of his campaign. Mike has ‘biked the talk’ in both his public and private life. With his leadership, we believe he will continue to enhance Seattle’s reputation as a green city.

Recommendation: Michael McGinn for Mayor of Seattle

Seattle City Council, Pos. 4

Sally has commendable experience and a good vision for the new waterfront. She is also a CBC member and former Burke-Gilman bike commuter while serving as a councilmember in Lake Forest Park and more recently as a prosecutor for King County. David Bloom is also a strong contender with a long history of community organizing and involvement. He gave thoughtful responses in our interview, but unfortunately we had to agree to disagree on our approach to growth management and transportation projects. Brian Carver and Dorsol Plants, also great advocates for bicycle-friendly policies, impressed us with their passion, but Sally’s experience makes her the best equipped for city hall.

Recommendation: Sally Bagshaw for Seattle City Council, Position 6

Seattle City Council, Pos. 6

Challengers Marty Kaplan and Jessie Israel are taking on incumbent Councilman Nick Licata. While Licata’s lone advocacy on some issues has gained him a base of support, he has been on the other side of numerous projects important to Cascade, the two-way Mercer project being just one example. Jessie Israel impressed us with the thoroughness of her questionnaire and the vision she expressed in our interview. We felt that, while she could use a few years under her belt, she has considerable experience in her work at King County Parks and otherwise, and is running a strong campaign. Kaplan is also a strong contender, as an architect with years of service on the Seattle Planning Commission. He is well-versed in the land use and transportation issues that come before that body, and has a long track record of siding with Cascade on some controversial issues.

Both Israel and Kaplan answered the questions on their questionnaires and in their interviews thoroughly and interestingly. The two have different strengths, but Jessie demonstrated a stronger vision for the City, expressed new ideas to take a forward-thinking approach to density and other hot-button issues, and an unwavering commitment to cycling as part of that future.

Recommendation: Jessie Israel for Seattle City Council, Position 6

Seattle City Council, Pos. 8

Mike O'Brien has been an ally as leader of the Sierra Club, Cascade chapter, as well as a bicyclist who knows how to make a difference. He’s stood by Cascade on tough fights that did not appear to be politically possible. His business savvy, too, is a great asset. As the CFO of a law firm, he managed to cut costs by promoting healthy transportation choices. He makes a point of bike commuting in business attire whenever possible, promoting cycling. As Mike faces a tough primary with six candidates- he needs the support of Cascade members to reach the top two!

Jordan Royer, formerly a city employee and now a lobbyist, knows city hall inside and out. Though Jordan is not a regular bicyclist, and also deals with many of our opponents through his work in the shipping industry, he shares our position on many critical issues as well. If not running against one of the Club’s greatest allies, he would make a good addition to the council.

Four other candidates also sought our endorsement. Bobby Forch works for the Department of Transportation, but is not well-versed in how to improve bicycling conditions. David Miller, a CBC member, is an advocate for the Maple Leaf Community Council. Unfortunately, we hold different views on how the City should grow and provide transportation choices. Robert Rosencrantz is an avid bicyclist and a past contender, but shares views that align him with our opponents in the Missing Link lawsuit. Rusty Williams has a vision for the City and a desire to improve conditions for bicycling, but could use more experience working with the city to learn the process. If we saw this level of interest in bicycling throughout our region, we would have many more bicycle facilities and many more difficult endorsement decisions.

Recommendation: Mike O'Brien for Seattle City Council, Position 8

Other endorsements

Seattle City Council, Pos. 2

Recommendation: Council member Richard Conlin

Incumbent. Commendable voting record and a solid ally. Regular rider. Outstanding questionnaire and interview.

Issaquah, Mayor

Recommendation: Mayor Ava Frisinger

Incumbent. Unopposed. Partner with Cascade Land Conservancy on Cascade Agenda Cities. Helped us pass Issaquah Complete Streets ordinance. Good questionnaire.

Kirkland City Council, Pos. 1

Recommendation: Joan McBride

Incumbent. Outstanding voting record. Chief ally in first in the state Complete Streets ordinance. Bicycle Alliance of Washington board member. Good questionnaire.

Snohomish County Council, Pos 1

Recommendation: Ellen Hiatt Watson

Ellen is determined to make Snohomish County better for bicycling. She recognizes the health benefits of walking and bicycling, and will work to implement “Complete Streets” policies once elected. The incumbent in this position, John Koster, holds alarming positions on transportation, land use and many other issues. He has not sought the endorsement of Cascade.

Snohomish County Council, Pos. 5

Recommendation: Dave Somers

Dave is an incumbent with a great record on bike-related issues. He is also well-respected as a champion in the environmental community. He also favors more “Complete Streets” policies, and is pushing for them to be adopted nationwide. Offering him Cascade’s endorsement is a no-brainer.

Take action for bike-friendly leaders

Columnist (and noted bike skeptic) Joel Connelly recently wrote that: “Cascade Bicycle Club has emerged as a powerful force in local politics.” This is only true because of thousands of bicyclists like you, voting with your pedals. Join the Pro-Bike Campaign Team and help Cascade support these and other pro-bike candidates. We’ll keep you in the loop about opportunities to meet the candidates or volunteer. Activities can include rides and rallies, phone banking, researching candidates’ positions on bike issues, and biking to deliver information about the campaign. You can sign up on our advocacy page or contact Chris Rule.

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