After months of grilling candidates and holding forums, the Alki Foundation, political wing of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, has released its list of endorsements. The group chooses favorites based on candidates' understanding of how government relates to business, knowledge of local issues, and perceived competence.

• Seattle City Council, Position 2: Richard Conlin

• Seattle City Council, Position 4 (being vacated by Jan Drago): Sally Bagshaw

• Seattle City Council, Position 6 (currently Nick Licata's seat): Jessie Israel and Marty Kaplan

• Seattle City Council, Position 8 (being vacated by Richard McIver): Robert Rosencrantz and Jordan Royer

• Seattle Mayor: Jan Drago and Greg Nickels

• King County Executive: Fred Jarrett and Larry Phillips

There are no big surprises regarding who got an endorsement. For instance, Nickels and Drago, the front runners for the mayor's race, each get a medal. However, it's interesting who didn't get endorsed. City Council Member Nick Licata, who has been on the city council since the early Mesozoic Era, gets no treat from the Chamber of Commerce, but, if past elections serve as an indicator, that won't slow him from sailing to victory. Dow Constantine, running for county executive against Larry Phillips, gets no love. Susan Hutchinson (GOP), running for executive on name recognition and the blood of Christ, also goes home without a gold star.

The Alki Foundation didn't endorse in uncontested races. The group, it says, may endorse candidates for port commission, county council, tax assessor, and city attorney after the August 18 primary.