Slog - The Stranger's Blog

Line Out

The Music Blog

« Boosting Broadway | The I, Anonymous Avalanche »

Thursday, June 2, 2005

Pelz Switches Races

Posted by on June 2 at 11:01 AM

Dwight Pelz finally makes it official; i.e., he’s chickening out of the Richard Conlin race and running against Richard McIver instead.

I think Pelz’s move highlights 2 annoying things. 1. Conlin is much stronger than people thought, & 2. the Nickels Machine can even make someone like Casey Corr formidable.

Team Nickels, including bad ass fund raiser Colby Underwood, is supporting McIver, though.

Here's Pelz's press release:

Dwight Pelz to Challenge Incumbent Richard McIver for City Council

„Time to stand up and lead‰ a changing Seattle

SEATTLE˜King County Council Member Dwight Pelz has announced that he will challenge incumbent Richard McIver in the fall elections. Pelz, former Chair of the State Senate Education Committee and current Transportation Chair at the County Council, believes his record of leadership on school funding and transit advocacy provides a platform to challenge McIver, a two-term incumbent.

„Throughout my career I have never shied away from a tough issue and I have proud of the results,‰ said Pelz. „I just have not seen a commitment to lead from Richard McIver. Seattle needs real leadership right now. Simply taking votes in City Hall isn‚t going to move the city forward.‰

„It‚s time to stand up and lead Seattle into the future.‰

Pelz, who had previously indicated that he would run against Richard Conlin, made his decision after discussions with supporters and regular voters throughout Seattle.

„I have made hundreds of calls and addressed voters in coffees and events throughout the city, and the message is clear,‰ said Pelz. „Richard McIver simply isn‚t addressing neighborhood concerns, he doesn‚t have a vision for the city, and he isn‚t leading on the issues.‰

Pelz's campaign is off to a fast start. He leads all candidates˜incumbents and challengers˜with more than $125,000 raised and endorsements from leading Democrats, unions, and individuals. He has been meeting with voters throughout Seattle and is the first candidate with yard signs up around the city, adding to his strong name recognition.

Pelz believes his profile and record of accomplishment match well with the needs of a fast-changing Seattle.

„In the State Senate I fought for and won funding for Seattle Schools˜it‚s time once again to step up and lead,‰ said Pelz. „When Tim Eyman gutted Metro Transit, I went to Olympia and led the way for local transit levies to protect services. When neighborhoods made it clear they wanted light rail stations as magnets for housing and retail, I listened and helped make it happen.‰

„I am excited about taking on the challenges facing our city. I have the energy for the job and a vision for this city that will protect our neighborhoods, invest in smart transit, and create jobs downtown."

=30=