Seattle needs new leadership. That much became obvious after a majority of voters voted against incumbent Greg Nickels in the August primary.

But the question of who should become the new mayor of Seattle wasn’t an easy one to answer shortly after the primary, but for The Daily, that answer has become clear.

Seattle is at a transition point, with decisions to be made on transit, crime, housing and the environment.

Having come to see Mike McGinn as a transparent and community-oriented candidate, The Daily believes he is the best man to lead Seattle in the coming years.

McGinn was the president of the UW’s Graduate and Professional Students Senate from 1990 to 1992, where he worked to secure health benefits for RAs and TAs and worked to protect student housing in the U-District from commercial development.

McGinn understands student needs.

He understands the need to create a larger network of light-rail tracks in and around Seattle, the need for more engagement between law enforcement and community members in the U-District and the UW to prevent crime, and the need for students to have safe, clean and affordable housing — something that can be hard to find in the U-District.

McGinn has also been a proven environmental leader in the city for the past decade, fighting for light rail, more green spaces, and a cleaner Puget Sound.

These are all issues that affect the students, faculty and staff at the University of Washington.

McGinn’s opponent, Joe Mallahan, is a strong business leader and would no doubt bring good ideas to the table with regards to some of the economic challenges facing downtown and the local economy.

But it is McGinn who came to us when we had questions about his campaign. He rode his bike to the Communications Building on a Sunday morning to talk to members of The Daily’s editorial board.

The Daily tried to contact Mallahan on several occasions during the last three months, but we never received a reply. A candidate who ignores the queries of the single newspaper that represents the voice of the students of the UW shouldn’t receive your vote.

Mike McGinn has proven himself a dedicated citizen of Seattle and a partner of students in the U-District, and it is his approach of listening to concerns that will help lead this city in the future. McGinn is our recommendation for mayor of Seattle.

This is the opinion of The Daily’s editorial board: Editor-in-Chief Casey Smith, Production Director Colleen Kirsten, Opinion Editor Allen Wagner, Lifestyles Editor Rachel Solomon, and Sports Editor Christian Caple. The Daily’s editorial board will be making more recommendations, concerning I-1033 on Monday, Nov. 2, and King County executive on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Our final election board meetings — open to students — will be Thursday, Oct. 29, at 5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 1, at 5 p.m.

The last day to send in or drop off your ballot is Nov. 3. Be sure to send it to the proper authorities in time.