1. North Seattle neighborhood activist David Miller, a density skeptic who ran for city council in 2009 and, after campaigning for districts last year, was viewed as a possible District 5 (Northgate, Bitter Lake, Matthews Beach) candidate, announced on his website that he's not going to run.

Miller, the Maple Leaf Community Council president, added this teaser, though (bolds are his):

I do, however, still have a favor to ask of you. Please don’t go out and endorse someone else quite yet. I know of an exceptionally qualified District 5 resident who would be great in this job. This person knows both District 5 and Seattle issues. Unlike the current candidates, electing this candidate means District 5 residents will have someone hitting the ground running on day one after inauguration. She’s just not quite ready to make her decision yet – but I know you’d find her worth the wait if she decides to run and I know you’ll be as excited as I would be to support her if she makes that decision.

There are currently two declared candidates in the 5th: Rev. Sandy Brown, the former director of the Church Council of Greater Seattle who's worked on gun control and homelessness; and Halei Watkins, a Planned Parenthood organizer and former field director for 2012's gay marriage law.

There is no council incumbent in the 5th District. David Miller's wife Donna Hartmann-Miller, a respected parks activist, lives in the 5th. 

2. Speaking of candidates who aren't running.  Last week, ACLU attorney Alison Holcomb, known for leading 2012's marijuana legalization campaign, pulled the plug on what she'd earlier billed as an almost certain decision to run against 3rd District incumbent, socialist incumbent Kshama Sawant.

Holcomb explained that her new assignment at the ACLU, running their national campaign to end mass incarceration, was too good to turn down.

Fizz asked Holcomb if Sawant's strong favorability numbers in the 3rd District (East Central Seattle) was another reason she reversed course.

Holcomb said: "Sawant's numbers had absolutely nothing to do with my decision.  I would have enjoyed running against her, and been honored to serve the city. But leading a nationwide campaign to end mass incarceration offers an opportunity to impact millions of lives on a critical issue that is near to my heart."

Asked if she hoped someone would run against Sawant, Holcomb said:  

I respect and appreciate Sawant's activism, but I don't think she's an effective councilmember.  In my conversations with constituents, community leaders, and city and organizational leaders over the past several months, I frequently heard that Sawant didn't invite them to conversation, hear their concerns, or engage with their issues.  She clearly has an agenda, but I don't think it's District 3's agenda.  So yes, I think someone should run against her.

3.  After being behind most of last week, I-1351, the union-funded smaller class size initiative, pulled far enough ahead this weekend—going up by 18,000 votes for a 50.49-49.51 advantage—to declare victory.

"By passing I-1351, the Washington voters are sending a strong message to the Legislature about investing in our kids and making public education a priority," a statement from 1351 announced on Saturday. 

The legislature, found in contempt by the Washington State Supreme Court for not adequately funding K-12 in September, is already on the hook for coming up with $5 billion in new funding by the 2018 school year. 

1351 adds another $4 billion to the K-12 tab.