Environmental leaders elected to Port of Seattle

In the race for three open seats on the Port of Seattle Commission, biofuels salesman Rob Holland was defeating commercial real-estate broker David Doud in the race for Position 3 by 55 percent to 45 percent.

Small-business owner Tom Albro was winning for Position 4 with 57 percent against longshoreman and former state legislator Max Vekich, who had 43 percent.

Current port commissioner John Creighton ran unopposed for Position 1.

The five candidates raised more than $800,000 in contributions, and Doud led the pack with $303,000 in contributions. Holland raised the least — about $95,000.

King County Citizens for Port Reform, an independent-expenditure campaign that collected $260,000 from unions, backed Holland and Vekich. Albro and Doud received significant contributions from businesses connected to the Port, such as cargo-terminal operators and cruise-ship companies.

"I think I scared the status-quo culture," Vekich said. "Hopefully it's changed the way business and politics is done at the port."

The five Port commissioners work part time, serve four-year terms and oversee a $76 million tax levy.

Holland, who would be the first African-American commissioner, ran against Doud, the only candidate from the Eastside.

Albro, who owns the company that operates the Seattle Monorail, emphasized making the region's economic engine more globally competitive. Vekich focused on jobs and the Port's impact on the environment.