Election Day: Council thinking ahead a year?

Update 3:20 p.m. Tuesday may be Election Day 2014. But the politics of next year's Seattle City Council district races are already starting to flicker in conversations at City Hall.  On Monday, as the council members discussed Sound Transit's current draft of a long range light rail expansion plan, Nick Licata questioned whether a connection between downtown and West Seattle would be worth the estimated $4 billion it could cost. "It's out of proportion," he said, adding that when considering new transit options for West Seattle, "We need to broaden the discussion beyond fixed rail." Councilmember Tom Rasmussen hails from West Seattle, and has already filed paper work to run for a council seat next year in the neighborhood's District 1. He was quick to push back on Licata's remarks. "I think it's premature to select one neighborhood and express significant doubts," Rasmussen said. "I think it's prejudicial... I would ask you keep an open mind." In response, Licata quipped: "I appreciate the future representative from that district picking up that point." To which Rasmussen shot back: "I'm a representative of all districts now... That's important to keep in mind.""This is all a friendly discussion," Rasumussen added. Council President Tim Burgess seemed to sum things up when he said: "This is only practice," — apparently referring to future Council discussions that could break along district lines. — B.L.