The Municipal League of King County has released what it touts as non-partisan evaluations of 122 legislative, judicial and local candidates.

The ratings are available online at www.munileague.org.

For local state races, probably the biggest news was Kenmore Mayor David Baker outscoring State Rep. Maralyn Chase, D-Shoreline.

Along with former state representative Patty Butler, Baker and Chase are vying for the District 32 state senate now held by Sen. Darlene Fairley, D-Lake Forest Park, who is not running for re-election.

Baker received a score of “very good” from the league, who handed Chase a score of “good.” Butler also received a score of “very good.”

“As mayor of Kenmore, I have a proven record of putting families, jobs and communities first. If elected as state senator, I’ll continue to work to meet the needs of families and communities. And just as in Kenmore, I will do it without raising taxes,” Baker said in a press release.

Baker has been on the Kenmore City Council since 2004. Chase has served eight years in the state house, while Butler completed two years there in the late 1990s.

According to the Municipal League, to determine candidate ratings, volunteers throughout King County joined league candidate evaluation committees to study the public record, review candidate questionnaires, speak with references and conduct interviews with candidates.

Committee members then rated each candidate on four criteria: involvement, character, effectiveness and knowledge.

The possible ratings are: Outstanding, Very Good, Good, Adequate, Not Qualified and Insufficient Information to Rate.

The league states political affiliations and stances on specific issues are not considered.

“Our people and process are what make these ratings such important tools for voters,” said Matthew Stubbs, chair of the league’s candidate evaluation committee.

“Committee volunteers commit to a nonpartisan assessment process that has been developed and refined by the league for the past 100 years. We use that same process with each candidate we evaluate to make sure league ratings are fair and consistent.”

Other ratings in local races include:

• Legislative District 1, State Rep. Pos. 1: Vince DeMiero – Very Good; Sandy Guinn – Good; Dennis Richter – Not Qualified; Dick Lapinski – Not Qualified; Derek Stanford – Good.

• Legislative District 1, State Rep. Pos. 2: Dave Griffin – Adequate; Luis Moscoso – Good; Heidi Munson – Not Qualified.

• Legislative District 32, State Rep. Pos. 1: Art Coday – Good; Cindy Ryu – Very Good; Doris McConnell – Adequate.

• Legislative District 32, State Rep. Pos. 2: Stan Lippmann – Not Qualified; Gary Gagliardi – Adequate; Ruth Kagi – Outstanding.

Complete definitions of the ratings are available at www.munileague.org. Here are abbreviated descriptions of each rating:

• Outstanding – Has made numerous outstanding contributions requiring skills related to the office, is a path-finding and respected leader, brings knowledge and creativity to issues facing the office.

• Very Good – Makes significant contributions, is a skilled builder of consensus, inspires confidence in the way he/she would serve, is thorough and attentive to issues.

• Good – Has been active and effective in many roles, is capable of moving people to productive action, has strong record of participation in problem solving, shows satisfactory commitment to tackling issues.

• Adequate – Has a record of participation and interest, is effective on specific issues, has provoked questions about suitability as an office holder, will need significant time/energy to fill gaps in knowledge.

• Not Qualified – Doesn’t appear engaged, has a record that casts doubt on ability to be productive, hasn’t demonstrated ability to deal with responsibilities of office, has narrow focus, inflexible attitude or is otherwise troubling.