Constantine, the former Olympia rep and senator from West Seattle's 34th District, was appointed by the Democrats to fill Greg Nickels' county council seat last January. Since then, he has earned a reputation as a hard-working budget brain (he's on the budget committee), and may be the D's answer to formidable county council Republican whiz kid Rob McKenna. This is comforting to know, considering the vicious budget battle over the $52 million deficit the county is now facing. Constantine also has a remarkably talented staff, like aide Sharon Nelson, who is hardwired into 8th District hot-button issues like the Maury Island strip mine.

The Libertarian opponent, Michael Nelson, has great stuff to say about promoting density by lifting building-height restrictions and frightening sutff to say about low wage workers; and the anti-tax Republican opponent, Oudom Danh, has done admirable work with youth. But Constantine is that rare sort of politician who combines brains and hard work to actually get things done. For example: no more strip-mining on Maury Island, which we should all agree is decidedly good.