Murray says "no" to write-in campaign---"not happy" with the other candidates

Chris Grygiel (Strange Bedfellows-Seattle PI):

State Sen. Ed Murray said Tuesday he would not run as a write-in candidate for Seattle mayor.

"While I am deeply concerned for the future of our city and Michael and I are honored to have been approached by so many people and organizations we admire and respect, I am also a realist: write-in campaigns are extremely difficult, and time is short," Murray said in a statement. "Also, the recognition yesterday that Referendum 71 will appear on the fall ballot galvanized my decision."

R-71 is an effort to overturn the state's new "everything but marriage" same sex domestic partner law. Murray has been a long-time advocate for gay rights.

A Murray write-in candidacy threatened to further shake a race that is already as mixed up as one of James Bond's martinis. Two-term incumbent Greg Nickels failed to make it out of last month's primary election. The two men who did - environmentalist Michael McGinn and businessman Joe Mallahan - have never held public office before. Both were already vying for support from business and labor, Nickels' core supporters. Had Murray entered the race it would've fractured the already split interest groups even more.

In his statement Murray rebuked both McGinn, who opposes the viaduct tunnel replacement, and Mallahan.

"I considered a write in campaign because I was concerned that one candidate wanted to reopen a fight with the state when we need to work together. The other candidate who seeks to become our civic leader has failed to engage in civic activities including on the most basic level, voting, something Americans in the south have died for in our lifetime.

I considered running because I believe Seattle is greater than the selfish conversation in the Mayor's race. Missing are issues and leadership on social justice. Issues of poverty and civil rights. This campaign to date has been about one bridge and one neighborhood. Issues such as our schools, neighborhoods and diversity are missing from this debate.

I urge the candidates to broaden their messages and address the critical issues facing our city and look forward to working with one of them as our next mayor."

While Murray is best known statewide for his support of gay rights (he sponsored the state's original same-sex domestic partnership law) he is also one of the leaders in the transportation debate. In the House he chaired the Transportation Committee for four years.

However write-in candidacies are notoriously difficult. It had been estimated that Murray and his supporters would have had to raise at least $300,000 to publicize his run.

McGinn said he respected Murray's decision.

"In his statement today, Sen. Murray called for a broader discussion on issues like social justice, poverty, civil rights, schools, neighborhoods and diversity," McGinn said in his ownstatement. "He's right. There is a wide array of complex issues facing our city. Over the next several weeks, I will be meeting with leaders in these communities, listening and proposing a clear set of positions and plans."

McGinn added he would work with Murray to make sure expanded same-sex domestic partner rights are upheld. "...it will take a smart and dedicated campaign to pass R-71. I look forward to closely working with Sen. Murray and other leaders in our city to make sure we do everything possible to maximize the vote coming out of Seattle for this important measure."

Mallahan said he has "great respect for Sen. Ed Murray and the leadership role he played to provide domestic partnership benefits for everyone in Washington state. I respect his decision to not run and look forward to working with him in the future."

Howie P.S.: Emily Heffter's story in the Seattle Times, "Murray not happy with either mayoral candidate," spells out Murray's gripes with Mallahan and McGinn. Wanna hear more from Murray? Goldy says

State Sen. Ed Murray will be stopping by Drinking Liberally tonight (8PM onwards at the Montlake Ale House).