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The first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol and Seattle city hall, PubliCola has been called a “must-read” by the Seattle Post Intelligencer and a hot “New Media Mover and Shaker” by Seattle Magazine—which also cited our own Erica C. Barnett as the city's No. 1 news nerd.

Seattle Port Commission Position 4: PubliCola Picks Max Vekich

News   October 19, 2009 at 3:36 pm PublicolaPicks

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Four-term state legislator, longshoreman, 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, eliminating toxic runoff, making the Port a leader in cleaning up the Duwamish River, and eliminating waste dumping by cruise ships. He also supports changes to local cab contracts to eliminate “deadheading,” a product of rules that prohibit cabs coming from the airport from picking up people in the city and cabs dropping people off at the airport from taking people back to the city.

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.

Vekich has the undisputed backing of labor, including the Teamsters, the Service Employees International Union, 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, US Rep. Jay Inslee, US Sen. Maria Cantwell, State House Speaker Frank Chopp, and state representative Sharon Nelson, as well as all the local district Democratic organizations. He also has endorsements from city council candidate (and environmentalist) Mike O’Brien and the local chapter of the Sierra Club, as well as several members of the King County Council and the Seattle City Council.

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, 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 mall 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.


  • Leaward

    Absolutely. No brainer. Albro is only a few degrees removed from Doud.

  • Leaward

    Absolutely. No brainer. Albro is only a few degrees removed from Doud.

  • chuckIII

    and the longshoreman.

    Plural is “longshormEn”. And they aren’t just men. And they also have a union, ILWU.

  • chuckIII

    and the longshoreman.

    Plural is “longshormEn”. And they aren’t just men. And they also have a union, ILWU.

  • ivan

    Max knows port operations in detail. His knowledge of the day-to-day working of the waterfront is so far and beyond his opponent’s that this vote should be a no-brainer.

    Max is also by far and away the environmental pick in this race. He and Rob Holland have a very well-developed plan for cleaning up emissions and for getting older, polluting trucks out of the Port.

    Max is also a big-picture guy, having spent four terms in the House in Olympia, and understanding how not only the Port of Seattle, but the Ports of Tacoma and Olympia, fit into the state’s and the West Coast’s financial situation.

    Max is in a tougher race than Holland is, and every vote will count in this one.

  • ivan

    Max knows port operations in detail. His knowledge of the day-to-day working of the waterfront is so far and beyond his opponent’s that this vote should be a no-brainer.

    Max is also by far and away the environmental pick in this race. He and Rob Holland have a very well-developed plan for cleaning up emissions and for getting older, polluting trucks out of the Port.

    Max is also a big-picture guy, having spent four terms in the House in Olympia, and understanding how not only the Port of Seattle, but the Ports of Tacoma and Olympia, fit into the state’s and the West Coast’s financial situation.

    Max is in a tougher race than Holland is, and every vote will count in this one.

  • Echo Hill

    Turtles and Teamsters Unite Again! Go Max.

  • Echo Hill

    Turtles and Teamsters Unite Again! Go Max.