SOME POTENTIAL SOURCES FOR THE FIRST-ASSIGNMENT: Some Seattle Times reporters who cover these races passed on some sources who might be helpful to get started and some ideas about the races.


Seattle City Council races:
Pos. 9: Bruce Harrell and Venus Velazquez. Main issues: They're both political newcomers, so they're both trying to prove they have the leadership and credibility to take this step.
Pos. 7: David Della and Tim Burgess. Della is fighting image that he hasn't accomplished much;Burgess that he is too conservative.
You should check out the Municipal League for ratings of each candidate

Seattle School Board
The most competitive School Board races are the two that involve incumbents: Sally Soriano v. Peter Maier in Dist. 1 and Darlene Flynn v. Sherry Carr in Dist. Both are in North Seattle. The biggest issues are the competence of the previous School Board (opponents say the current board micro-managed district staff and overstepped its policy-making role) and upcoming changes to the way the district doles out money to schools and the way the district assigns students to schools.
General Sources who can provide background: Lisa Macfarlane, pres. of the League of Education Voters (206) 728-6448, Wendy Kimball, head of the teacher's union (206) 283-8443 ext. 202, and Sharon Rodgers, pres. of Seattle Council PTSA (206) 547-5028.