Mayor Ed Murray formally endorsed establishment candidate Jenny Durkan at a surprise June 29 press conference, ending speculation about whether or not the mayor would launch a write-in campaign for the August primary.
Durkan has “the temperament, the political skills, and she also has strong relationships regionally and nationally, to move this city forward during uncertain times,” Murray said in a report by The Seattle Times.
Durkan, a former U.S. Attorney who has fought for LGBTQ rights, already has a significant edge over her 20 opponents in terms of fundraising. Murray’s endorsement — which he told KING 5 recently he was not sure anyone would want — could bring his supporters into the fold.
Murray dropped his own bid for re-election in early May due to a lawsuit alleging that he raped a minor in the 1980s. That lawsuit was dropped after the filing period for the current election closed, meaning that Murray’s options were to run as a write-in candidate or not at all.
Murray’s spokesperson, Jeff Reading, promised that the announcement would “shake up the race” for mayor. Time will tell if that is proven true.
Ashley Archibald is a Staff Reporter covering local government, policy and equity. Have a story idea? She can be can reached at ashleya (at) realchangenews (dot) org. Twitter @AshleyA_RC
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