Wood separates from Nickels, Sidran with write-in candidacy

Christal Wood is neither Mark Sidran nor Greg Nickels.

"My point is not to be a politician," said Wood in her unofficial campaign headquarters at University Rare and Used Books on the Ave.

Wood, running on the Green Party ticket, is the only write-in candidate recognized by the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission in Tuesday's mayoral election.

"I basically have slipped in under everybody's radar," said Wood. "I have the element of surprise."

Wood, who graduated from the UW in 2000 with degrees in communications and social justice, said she is able to lead Seattle through her candidacy, whether she wins or not.

"During the campaigning, you get to speak on issues. You get to change the debate," said Wood. "[Running for office is] worth it for a thousand of those types of reasons."

Even though Wood plays a part in directing the focus of the election, she still wouldn't mind beating Sidran and Nickels.

"I honestly think I would be a better mayor," said Wood.

Wood sees all of her platform issues with equal importance. She will first address policies within the Seattle Police Department (SPD) if elected.

While Wood has had limited contact with SPD Chief Gil Kerlikowske, she will give him the benefit of the doubt with regard to the SPD's lack of involvement during last February's Mardi Gras violence. "Policing of an entire city is a complicated matter," said Wood.

However, she wants to make sure the department has learned from its mistakes.

"I'm not someone who would want to run around chopping off heads," said Wood. "I certainly have my gripes, and if they can't be resolved, I would certainly be actively searching for a replacement."

Wood added she would shift enforcement priorities within the SPD. She wants local government to take the reigns of drug enforcement in Seattle.

"We're filling our jail system with people who don't need to be there," said Wood, who advocates a treatment policy for drug-users.

In shifting priorities, Wood also plans to spend less money in the budget by cracking down more on methamphetamines distributors and less on distributors of organic substances such as marijuana.