With all this talk of indictments, World Series action, and last night's Gilmore Girls, it is easy to forget that we are about to pick a mayor. Well, not so much forget as not realize.
It turns out a guy named Greg Nickels has been our mayor for the past few years, and just like every other politician, he wants another four years for legacy building, mayoral library fundraising, and the pass that lets him cut in line at the Fun Forest.
But guess what? This ain't France, so Nickels is going to have to be re-elected, by the people no less, if he wants to continue being mayor. The election is in less than two weeks, and the man running against him is none other than Al Runte.
Who is Al Runte?...No seriously, we are asking you…Fine, be like that.
Runte is a former University of Washington professor, an expert on the National Parks, and according to his website, "Al is 58." Those of you who attended last year's Brazilian Congress on Parks and Protected Areas may recognize him as the key note speaker.
Like anyone running for office in this town, Runte has a lot to say about transportation, the schools, and the looming Sasquatch shortage.
Runte isn't going to win---in fact, he may not even finish second--- but at least democracy in this town works, and Mayor Nickels will have to earn that second term.
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What is a good political race without a shin kicking episode.
I like that the main content area on Runte's website includes this statement: "I believe in all of the city..."
This in contrast to Nickels, who has repeatedly stated that Wedgewood "is a figment of Nick Licata's imagination," and that White Center "can only be seen by trolls."
Thanks Seth, I just spit root beer all over my monitor.
A perfect representation of "the people." For proof look no further than the 2004 presidential election.