Surprising exactly nobody, the 43rd District Democrats tonight awarded their sole endorsement in the Seattle mayor's race to Ed Murray, who has represented the 43rd District in the legislature for 18 years.

Murray took 65 percent of the vote among the party activists in a second ballot (60 percent are required for an endorsement, and in the first ballot he came up just shy). Runners up followed in this order: Mayor Mike McGinn, former city council member Peter Steinbrueck, Seattle City Council member Bruce Harrell, neighborhood activist Kate Martin, and, finally, Bow-Tie-Wearer-in-Chief Charlie Staadecker.

Predicable as the vote may be, this represents solid momentum for Murray—thus far unmatched with the district Democrats. He's been endorsed by the 46th District Dems (split with Steinbrueck), and, since Council Member Burgess has dropped out of the race, the 36th District Dems' executive board has recommended their members grant Murray a sole endorsement when they meet tomorrow.