State Sen. Bob Hasegawa Will Run For Seattle Mayor

SEATTLE, WA - State Sen. Bob Hasegawa, D-Seattle, confirmed Monday that he'll run for mayor. Hasegawa's announcement comes on the same day when several news outlets reported that incumbent Mayor Ed Murray might drop out of the race. Hasegawa confirmed his candidacy to the South Seattle Emerald on Monday, and later released a statement about entering the mayoral race.

Hasegawa, who represents the Beacon Hill neighborhood, will make an official announcement on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Wells Fargo Center along 3rd Avenue downtown. Hasegawa is making the announcement at the Wells Fargo building, he said in a statement, to demonstrate his "commitment to economic justice." Hasegawa has in the past floated a plan to create a state bank (North Dakota has one) called the Washington Investment Trust.

"It will generate revenue, but also save money and provide public financing options by loaning money to ourselves rather than going through big banks and bond brokers. We could boost local economies, invest in infrastructure like clean water and sewer projects and even provide loans for students and small businesses. Currently, the state sets aside over $1 billion per year in our operating budget for debt service, much of which is profit to Wall Street," Hasegawa said earlier this year in a statement.

Hasegawa was first elected in the 11th Legislative District, which includes Beacon Hill, as a state Rep. in 2005. He became a state Senator in 2012. Hasegawa grew up in Beacon Hill, moved to Renton for a brief period, and now lives in the same house he grew up in back on Beacon Hill.

A long-time member of the Teamster's union, Hasegawa bills himself as a progressive. He will be the 13th candidate in the primary race - unless Murray drops out - and joins other front-runners like activist Nikkita Oliver, former mayor Mike McGinn, and urban policy activist Cary Moon.

On Sunday, KING 5 reported that Murray might drop out of the race as he deals with a sex abuse lawsuit. On Monday, KOMO News, citing an anonymous source, reported that Murray might drop out of the race as soon as Tuesday.

Image via Washington Legislature