The final wrap

The seemingly endless 2006 election season wraps up Tuesday, Election Day, but not before voters cast ballots in a long list of races of great importance to our state and our country.

Here is a handy clip-and-save list of Seattle Times endorsements and recommendations in key races:

U.S. Senate

Republican Mike McGavick gets the endorsement over Democratic incumbent Maria Cantwell. McGavick has been CEO of Safeco and also worked for Sen. Slade Gorton. McGavick has the potential to be an innovative and influential senator for our state.

U.S. House

We recommend returning Democratic incumbent Reps. Jay Inslee in the 1st District, Rick Larsen in the 2nd District and Brian Baird in the 3rd District. These are low-profile races and the choice is clear in each contest.

In the 5th District, Republican incumbent Cathy McMorris is picked. Her knowledge of the issues has improved dramatically in her first term.

Our 8th District endorsement goes to Republican incumbent Dave Reichert, the former King County sheriff. This is one of the hottest congressional races in the country. Democratic opponent Darcy Burner has too thin a résumé to replace him.

State Initiatives

Initiative 920. Yes on repealing the state estate tax. The tax hurts family businesses and raises a marginal amount of money for state government.

Initiative 933. No on the so-called Property Fairness Act. The initiative is part of a national movement to trash land-use laws and amounts to really bad public policy.

Initiative 937. No on the renewable-energy initiative. It sounds good at first but the measure will inflate power rates and cost jobs in a state economy built on low-cost power.

Judges

Stephen Johnson for state Supreme Court.

Frank LaSalata for King County District Court.

Local measures

King County Proposition 2, expanded bus service. Yes.

Seattle Referendum 1, the 4-foot rule for strip clubs. Yes.

Seattle Charter Amendments: No on Amendments 8, 9 and 10, shrinking the term of the auditor from six years to four years and giving the City Council power to remove key department heads every four years.

Seattle Proposition 1, roads and bridges levy. No.

Seattle Initiative 91, sports organizations. No.