The Washington state chapter of the Sierra Club has made its first two endorsements in this year's city council elections: socialist Kshama Sawant and Mike O'Brien, who's himself the former chair of the group's state chapter.

Surprising? Not really. But it's still notable that these are the first—and only—two endorsements the group has made so far.

"We're sending a message," says Jesse Piedfort, chair of the Sierra Club's Seattle Group (a part of the statewide chapter). "These two council members deserve really special praise from environmentalists. They've been there time and again for us. We're really making a statement about how we want the rest of the council to act on environmental priorities."

While the group hasn't yet endorsed in the other seven races, Piedfort hints that those announcements, which are expected by the end of the month, will likely include some non-incumbents.

"We think there haven't been enough bold, progressive leaders on environmental issues," he says. "There are certain council members who generally vote the right way, but we want nine champions for the environment."

In its endorsement announcement, the Sierra Club praises Sawant and O'Brien for leading council pushback against the Port of Seattle's decision to allow Shell Oil to store Arctic drilling rigs in Elliot Bay, oil trains*, and the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

It's worth pointing out that most of the action on those three issues has been through non-binding resolutions, since they're not really within the city's control. But the group also credits O'Brien for his work on the city's Climate Action Plan, "promoting sustainable growth in Seattle," and supporting a bike/ped bridge across Interstate 5 to the new Northgate light rail station, as well as a light rail station at Northeast 130th Street.

Sawant, the group says, has "worked to adopt progressive revenue sources to expand transit service in Seattle," and "her work on affordable housing is equally important, working to ensure Seattle can continue to be a home to working-class residents and thereby reduce sprawl and cut the city's carbon footprint."

The two council members have also "continued to hold [the Washington State Department of Transportation], [the Seattle Department of Transportation], and contractors accountable on the SR 99 tunnel project and support looking at alternatives to this boondoggle." Indeed.

*Please look at this fantastic Alex Garland photo of Mike O'Brien rocking both a suit jacket and Tevas(?) while speaking in front of a bunch of anti-oil-train signs. How could this man not get the Sierra Club's endorsement?