Seattle Mayor Ed Murray Considers Leaving Race: Report

SEATTLE, WA - Is Seattle Mayor Ed Murray ready to drop out of the mayoral race? According to multiple reports from over the weekend, rumors of the incumbent mayor's departure are swirling. On Sunday, KING 5 reported that, according to two anonymous sources, Murray might drop out as soon as this week.

Murray's campaign denies that he's dropping out, although there appears to be some preparation afoot for either Murray's departure or another strong candidate to join the race.

The KING 5 report comes just a few days after a fourth man emerged accusing Murray of paying him for sex. At the same time, Seattle voters have been receiving phone calls recently from pollsters probing their opinion about the sex abuse lawsuit against Murray. It's unclear, however, who is behind the polling.

Meanwhile, rumors are swirling that a Murray-slayer candidate might enter the race. Some names, according to The Stranger, include former U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan (who was once considered to be U.S. Attorney General after Eric Holder stepped down), and King County Executive Dow Constantine.

Beginning next Monday, mayoral candidates will begin submitting declaration of candidacy forms. The deadline to file is May 19. Including Murray, 12 people have declared that they're running for mayor, including activist Nikkita Oliver, urban policy activist Cary Moon, and former Seattle mayor Mike McGinn.

On Sunday, the Seattle Times quoted John Wyble, a consultant for McGinn's campaign, saying that,"we can’t figure out whether [Murray is] staying in or getting out." In the same article, Murray's campaign spokesman, Sandeep Kaushik, plainly says, "He's running."

Image via City of Seattle