Four-term state legislator and labor leader Max Vekich is the obvious choice in this race.

Vekich not only says he’ll prioritize getting the Port’s environmental record up to green standards, he’s truly fired up about it—advocating for an upgrade at all the terminals that would include pushing for non-polluting, energy-efficient trucking and eliminating toxic runoff.  He calls recent steps the Port has taken to clean up its act “token actions.”

Most important, as an eight-year Democratic state legislator (D-35) and a lead player in passing the state's Growth Management Act, Vekich will bring sorely needed lawmaking experience to the perpetually sloppy Port Commission (the Port CEO Mic Dinsmore salary fiasco, the Christmas tree at SeaTac fiasco.)

Vekich has the undisputed backing of labor, including the Teamster, SEIU, the King County Labor Council, and the longshoreman. His critics, including his opponent, paint him as a labor lackey, but we like that Vekich is in sync with the people whose livelihood depends on a successful and environmentally sound Seattle Port.

He has an impressive list of supporters, including U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, U.S. Rep Jay Inslee, State House Speaker Frank Chopp, and state representative Sharon Nelson.

Vekich’s main opponent is Seattle Monorail Services director Tom Albro. Red flag: Albro’s contributors list (unlike Vekich’s) looks all too familiar: It’s littered with business interests that benefit from the Port’s $70 million tax levy largesse, such as Holland America, SSA Marine, airline service companies, and the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce.

Also on Albro’s business-as-usual donors list: Ousted state lands commissioner Doug Sutherland and Eastside developer Kemper Freeman, whose conservative agendas are out of step with Seattle. Albro himself has given money to GOP gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi and GOP Attorney General Rob McKenna.

PubliCola picks Max Vekich.