fee passed in 2011. Recall effort On May 31, 2011, a recall effort was announced. Proponents cited Conlin for three alleged violations of law: signing the draft environmental-impact statement of the proposed Seattle waterfront tunnel in lieu of Mayor Mike McGinn, colluding with City Attorney Peter Holmes, and failing to place a certified initiative on the ballot. On July 22, 2011, King Count Superior Court Judge Carol Schapira dismissed the recall petition, which would have required proving Conlin committed malfeasance or an illegal act to go forward. NBA/NHL arena opposition On October 15, 2012, both the King County Council and Seattle City Council approved a financing plan for a $490 million sports arena in the Seattle's Sodo neighborhood, backed by venture capitalist Chris Hansen. The King County Council vote was 9–0, while the City Council vote was 7–2, with Conlin and Nick Licata as the only opposition. The new arena was intended to host the NBA Seattle SuperSonics professional basketball team as well as a potential NHL ice hockey team. 2013 election and defeat In 2013, Seattle Central Community College and Seattle University economics professor Kshama Sawant ran for election as a Socialist Alternative candidate for Conlin's seat on the Seattle City Council. She won 35% of the vote in the August primary election, and advanced into the general election against Conlin. On November 15, 2013, Conlin conceded to Sawant after late returns showed him down by 1,640 votes or approximately 1% of the vote. Council Leadership For a point in his tenure on the council, Conlin served as council president. References External links Richard Conlin's campaign website Seattle Post-Intelligencer's candidate voters' guide 1948 births Living people Washington (state) Democrats County commissioners in Michigan Seattle City Council members Michigan State University alumni Politicians from Washington, D.C.