McGinn Is In: Former Seattle Mayor Will Run In 2017

SEATTLE, WA - Former Seattle mayor Mike McGinn launched his campaign to become mayor of Seattle again on Monday morning. McGinn said during a press conference that he wants to pursue a city income tax, ask large employers to pay for the affects of their growth, and wants to bring more neighborhood groups into discussions over how to build affordable housing.

McGinn served one term as Seattle mayor beginning in 2009; he was defeated by Mayor Ed Murray in 2013. McGinn joins a field of candidates challenging Murray from the left. McGinn announced his candidacy on Twitter Monday morning, and followed up with a press conference from his Greenwood neighborhood home.

"Seattle is a promise; it's a promise we can do better," McGinn said. "I believe right now that promise is threatened. Every time the rent goes up or a house goes on the market at an un-affordable price, it doesn't just squeeze out who's here now, it squeezes out the dream of what the city could be.

"We can't let this city become San Francisco," he added.

McGinn was asked pointedly by reporters whether the sex abuse lawsuit filed against Murray influenced his decision to run. McGinn demurred, saying that he's been exploring a run for a few weeks, and that anything can happen between today and Election Day, including other candidates entering the race.

"I'm really trying to avoid talking about the mayor's legal troubles," he said. "Of course [before running], I took a look at the lay of the land and made an analysis. There's a lot more to the analysis of running than [the lawsuit]."

On a city income tax, McGinn said that he doesn't want to resort to regressive tax levies, including sales tax increases, to fund city programs. He asked the Seattle City Council to pass a city income tax in 2017, anticipating that such a tax would be challenged in court.

Since his reelection defeat in 2013, McGinn has been active on Twitter, and as a voice in the media. As mayor, McGinn was an opponent of the construction of a $3.1 billion tunnel underneath Seattle to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct. After the boring machine Bertha completed the tunnel two weeks ago, McGinn wrote an article for Crosscut titled, "Seattle’s car megatunnel is here. Can the city still lead on climate?" McGinn lost his reelection bid in 2013 to Murray by about 8,000 votes.

McGinn, an attorney, was active in the environmental movement before becoming mayor. He worked for the Sierra Club locally, and founded the Seattle Great City Initiative.

Activist and attorney Nikkita Oliver and transit activist Andres Salomon are also running for mayor. They entered the race before Murray was sued by a Kent man over allegations of sex abuse. Two recent editorials in The Stranger and the Seattle Times have called for Murray to step down and drop out of the mayoral race.

Murray has said that he will stay in the race and has denied the sex abuse allegations.

McGinn did criticize Murray over his handling of a variety of issues, including the homeless situation and ensuing homeless camp sweeps, and pursuing new revenue by raising sales and property taxes.

"I think I can do a better job than Ed," he said.

Image via Mike McGinn