Early election trend: Experience (though not necessarily incumbency) is a plus

With the big tri-county roads-and-transit measure failing and Tim Eyman's spending straightjacket, passing, you could sense that the government-wary voters are not passing around any blank checks. But they are also favoring mature moderates as they challenge some wayward legislative bodies. The biggest surprises so far are the large early margins for Bruce Harrell over Venus Velazquez for Seattle City Council, though that race might simply be the price Velazquez is paying for her untimely DUI arrest; and Tim Burgess's wide margin over incumbent David Della. Both Harrell and Burgess campaigned as candidates who would bring more adult supervision to the fairly scattered Seattle City Council. Similarly, the reform slate of Peter Maier, Sherry Carr, Steve Sundquist, and Harium Martin-Morris is sweeping the field for Seattle School Board, pushing out two incumbents who had epitomized the unruly board the past four years – Darlene Flynn and Sally Soriano. The reformers mostly touted their ability as managers with large companies such as Boeing and Frank Russell. The third legislative body up for debate is the Port of Seattle, and here the races are too close to call, but the two challengers to incumbents Alec Fisken and Bob Edwards are both very much in the contest. Once again, the challengers touted their experience. The King County prosecutor's race is tightening up and really too early to call. Early results tilt to Dan Satterberg, the Republican who wants to carry on the Norm Maleng nonpartisan tradition. If Satterberg wins, that might be a voters' verdict for steadiness, as opposed to the more brash, Democratic alignment of challenger Bill Sherman. But lest you think this is a vote for the Establishment, keep in mind the licking it is taking on Proposition 1. There may be steadier hands on the helm, but the Ship of State is leaking badly.