2013 Seattle Mayoral Race Thread

jam5 · November 25th, 2012, 11:34 PM

So who would be the strongest possible challenger?

Who might challenge McGinn in 2013 mayor's race?

By Lynn Thompson
Seattle Times staff reporter

To call it a cast of thousands would be an overstatement. But with Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn perceived as vulnerable, many high-profile politicians and a few barely known ones are considering running against him in 2013.

Among the possible candidates are: state Sen. Ed Murray; three current or former City Council members, Tim Burgess, Bruce Harrell and Peter Steinbrueck; former County Executive Ron Sims; commercial real-estate broker Charlie Staadecker; business owner and engineering project manager Albert Shen; Republican Port Commissioner Bill Bryant; and perhaps the most experienced of all, the former mayor of both Bellevue and Bremerton, Cary Bozeman.

McGinn hasn't said for sure that he's seeking re-election, but he and Staadecker are so far the only candidates to officially file for office. The mayor had raised $88,000 through the end of October. His predecessor, Greg Nickels, had raised more than $200,000 at that point four years ago but didn't make it out of the primary.

LCIII · November 25th, 2012, 11:55 PM

McGinn has been great concerning growth of our city. For that alone I want him to stay.

cameronrex · November 26th, 2012, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LCIII

McGinn has been great concerning growth of our city. For that alone I want him to stay.

Rough start but I agree. He supports or doesn't fight density.

Tespia · November 26th, 2012, 12:53 AM

I'd support McGinn, unless a better option came along, of which right now, none exist (?).

CrazyAboutCities · November 26th, 2012, 12:58 AM

At beginning, I didn't like McGinn but he is growing on me lately. I think he did better job for Seattle than I expected. I haven't decided who I would vote for yet. I want to wait and hear what his challengers' plans for Seattle first.

bgwah · November 26th, 2012, 04:13 AM

Yeah, McGinn has improved a lot.

Steinbrueck seems like by far the worst potential major candidate.

***Bond James Bond*** · November 26th, 2012, 04:14 AM

Ugh. Can't we give politics a break for at least 2 months?

D Green · November 28th, 2012, 02:03 AM

Nope, sorry. Because then I won't have anything to post about...

Matt the Engineer · November 28th, 2012, 02:23 AM

(sigh) Looks like it's on.

I'm with you Bond. But the media wants what it wants.

mhays · November 28th, 2012, 03:33 AM

Be thankful for the national election....without it, the mayor race might have kicked off months ago. They waited just untill the spotlight wasn't directed elsewhere, and a few extra weeks to give people a break, not to mention campaign staff and consultant types. Good bet the campaign manager just got back from vacation.

Burgess is looking good based on that article. Density, transit, cracking down on street disorder, a bridge-builder... By getting in early (as expected) he's probably the front runner.

LCIII · November 28th, 2012, 03:46 AM

And don't forget he's a good fundraiser. Part of that is getting out early and seeking that cash before others are doing the same.

8ball · November 30th, 2012, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhays

Burgess is looking good based on that article. Density, transit, cracking down on street disorder, a bridge-builder... By getting in early (as expected) he's probably the front runner.

+1 for Burgess. McShwinn has wimped out on cleaning up Third Ave and the market area.

Seasun · December 5th, 2012, 06:17 PM

I doubt Murray would be holding an event to announce he isn't running for mayor:
http://capitolhillseattle.com/2012/1...n-capitol-hill

Capitol Hill · December 5th, 2012, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seasun

I doubt Murray would be holding an event to announce he isn't running for mayor:
http://capitolhillseattle.com/2012/1...n-capitol-hill

True. And I can't imagine its a load of fun trying to fund a state with diminishing resources. He's a stand up guy, and I like how he operates. He doesn't seem as shady as Chopp.

mSeattle · December 5th, 2012, 08:39 PM

I have mixed feelings. I like Murray but I don't like what he's doing. He got rehired for the Olympia job. He's leaving his job to run against McGinn whose only public office term was this one in the Great Recession - doing a fairly good job. I judge this kind of thing very hard.

Capitol Hill · December 5th, 2012, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mSeattle

I have mixed feelings. I like Murray but I don't like what he's doing. He got rehired for the Olympia job. He's leaving his job to run against McGinn whose only public office term was this one in the Great Recession - doing a fairly good job. I judge this kind of thing very hard.

Well, think of Inslee who resigned his position to run for Governor, and he was raked across the coals for it. The legislature is a part time position, so I don't judge him at all for running for a different office now. His putting his hat in the ring now might just keep some other candidates from running, but who knows, it might also get others running. The interesting thing seems to be that mayor of Seattle seems to be a last job that you do as a politician. When is the last time the mayor of Seattle went on to another office?

alexjonlin · December 6th, 2012, 01:04 AM

I'd like to hear Ed Murray's positions on city-specific issues more fleshed out, but in general I think he's been a great leader in the Senate and especially an incredible advocate for Seattle, which, despite our leadership in both houses of the Legislature, frequently gets the shaft. I could definitely see myself voting for him when the election finally comes around.

jessejb · December 6th, 2012, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8ball

+1 for Burgess. McShwinn has wimped out on cleaning up Third Ave and the market area.

This is huge for me. I'd dump McGinn purely for the lack of progress on that alone.

mSeattle · December 6th, 2012, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jessejb

This is huge for me. I'd dump McGinn purely for the lack of progress on that alone.

Your comment is sad...

Third Ave has been a problem in the BEST of times let alone in the troubled times we've recently been through.

McGinn has done more than he is given credit for.

One article I've seen - http://www.seattlemet.com/news-and-p...ase-for-mcginn

mSeattle · December 6th, 2012, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capitol Hill

Well, think of Inslee who resigned his position to run for Governor, and he was raked across the coals for it.

Inslee was not running against a governor who was seeking re-election. Murray would be running against a mayor seeking re-election.

November 25th, 2012, 11:34 PM	#1
jam5 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 473 Likes (Received): 3	2013 Seattle Mayoral Race Thread So who would be the strongest possible challenger? Who might challenge McGinn in 2013 mayor's race? By Lynn Thompson Seattle Times staff reporter To call it a cast of thousands would be an overstatement. But with Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn perceived as vulnerable, many high-profile politicians and a few barely known ones are considering running against him in 2013. Among the possible candidates are: state Sen. Ed Murray; three current or former City Council members, Tim Burgess, Bruce Harrell and Peter Steinbrueck; former County Executive Ron Sims; commercial real-estate broker Charlie Staadecker; business owner and engineering project manager Albert Shen; Republican Port Commissioner Bill Bryant; and perhaps the most experienced of all, the former mayor of both Bellevue and Bremerton, Cary Bozeman. McGinn hasn't said for sure that he's seeking re-election, but he and Staadecker are so far the only candidates to officially file for office. The mayor had raised $88,000 through the end of October. His predecessor, Greg Nickels, had raised more than $200,000 at that point four years ago but didn't make it out of the primary.

November 26th, 2012, 04:14 AM	#7
*Bond James Bond* Licence to kill. Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Apple Maggot Quarantine Area Posts: 6,996	Ugh. Can't we give politics a break for at least 2 months? __________________ Please DO NOT "like" any of my posts or request "friend" status. I don't care if you like me, or my posts. Thank you. - If you do either of these more than once you will be put on my ignore list.

November 28th, 2012, 02:03 AM	#8
D Green Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Seoul Posts: 331 Likes (Received): 32	Nope, sorry. Because then I won't have anything to post about... __________________ 10 Things Most Americans Don't Know About America

December 5th, 2012, 08:39 PM	#15
mSeattle Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 818 Likes (Received): 12	I have mixed feelings. I like Murray but I don't like what he's doing. He got rehired for the Olympia job. He's leaving his job to run against McGinn whose only public office term was this one in the Great Recession - doing a fairly good job. I judge this kind of thing very hard. __________________ *Too Much DOUBT - Troy Davis ExecutionYOU are Commander In Chief* of your body. Remember Bradley Manning.**

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November 25th, 2012, 11:55 PM	#2
LCIII Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 2,871 Likes (Received): 64	McGinn has been great concerning growth of our city. For that alone I want him to stay.

November 26th, 2012, 12:53 AM	#4
Tespia Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Seattle Posts: 144 Likes (Received): 21	I'd support McGinn, unless a better option came along, of which right now, none exist (?).

November 26th, 2012, 12:58 AM	#5
CrazyAboutCities Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 8,332 Likes (Received): 17	At beginning, I didn't like McGinn but he is growing on me lately. I think he did better job for Seattle than I expected. I haven't decided who I would vote for yet. I want to wait and hear what his challengers' plans for Seattle first.

November 26th, 2012, 04:13 AM	#6
bgwah honk!!! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Kirkland, WA Posts: 1,752 Likes (Received): 78	Yeah, McGinn has improved a lot. Steinbrueck seems like by far the worst potential major candidate.

November 28th, 2012, 02:23 AM	#9
Matt the Engineer Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 1,093 Likes (Received): 94	(sigh) Looks like it's on. I'm with you Bond. But the media wants what it wants.

November 28th, 2012, 03:33 AM	#10
mhays Journeyman Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 8,393 Likes (Received): 119	Be thankful for the national election....without it, the mayor race might have kicked off months ago. They waited just untill the spotlight wasn't directed elsewhere, and a few extra weeks to give people a break, not to mention campaign staff and consultant types. Good bet the campaign manager just got back from vacation. Burgess is looking good based on that article. Density, transit, cracking down on street disorder, a bridge-builder... By getting in early (as expected) he's probably the front runner.

November 28th, 2012, 03:46 AM	#11
LCIII Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 2,871 Likes (Received): 64	And don't forget he's a good fundraiser. Part of that is getting out early and seeking that cash before others are doing the same.

December 5th, 2012, 06:17 PM	#13
Seasun Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 2,561 Likes (Received): 43	I doubt Murray would be holding an event to announce he isn't running for mayor: http://capitolhillseattle.com/2012/1...n-capitol-hill

December 6th, 2012, 01:04 AM	#17
alexjonlin Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 2,271 Likes (Received): 87	I'd like to hear Ed Murray's positions on city-specific issues more fleshed out, but in general I think he's been a great leader in the Senate and especially an incredible advocate for Seattle, which, despite our leadership in both houses of the Legislature, frequently gets the shaft. I could definitely see myself voting for him when the election finally comes around.