Goodspaceguy Nelson challenges Constantine in race for District 8

Lopsided though the District 8 King County Council race is, at least there are two candidates.

Of the four council members running for re-election, two — Seattle Democrats Larry Gossett and Larry Phillips — have no opposition.

It isn't unusual for incumbent council members to go unchallenged. Jane Hague had a free ride to re-election in 1997, 2001 and 2005 before drawing two contenders for the Democratic nomination this year.

Dow Constantine, a former state senator who been on the County Council since 2002, faces a perennial candidate in the primary and a poorly funded Republican in the general election. District 8, which takes in West Seattle, White Center, Burien and Vashon Island, is heavily Democratic.

Goodspaceguy Nelson, who is running against Constantine for the Democratic nomination, ran against Constantine in 2003 as a Libertarian. Running with no reported contributions, he won 16 percent of the vote. Nelson has reported no contributions this year, either, while Constantine has raised $97,511.

The Municipal League of King County has rated Constantine "outstanding" and Nelson "not qualified."

The Democratic nominee will face Republican John Potter, a Boulevard Park rental-property owner, in the Nov. 6 general election. Potter ran for the Legislature last year and was defeated by incumbent state Rep. Bob Hasegawa.

Keith Ervin: 206-464-2105 or kervin@seattletimes.com