MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn gets first challenger

Oct 1, 2012, 6:29 AM | Updated: 7:48 am

Seattle real estate broker Charlie Staadecker will challenge mayor Mike McGinn in the 2013 election...

Seattle real estate broker Charlie Staadecker will challenge mayor Mike McGinn in the 2013 election. (Image courtesy Charlie for Mayor)

(Image courtesy Charlie for Mayor)

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn has his first challenger for the 2013 election.

Relative unknown Charlie Staadecker announced his candidacy over the weekend in a speech at his alma mater Franklin High School.

Read Staadecker’s full announcement speech

“This city so desperately wants someone to lead with authenticity, values and passion and that’s why I’m running for mayor of Seattle,” the commercial real estate broker.

He says he’s running on four pillars: education, jobs and economic security, quality of life and safety, and core services.

“I believe the next election for Mayor is critically important and the next four years will set in motion our future direction for the next 10-15 years,” he said.

“Charles Darwin made an amazing observation when he stated; ‘it’s not the strongest of the species that survive; nor is it the most intelligent; it is those that are most adaptable to change that survive’.”

Seattle Magazine selected Staadecker as one of it most influential people of 2011 along with his wife Benita for their support of the arts.

MyNorthwest News

helicopter pilot utah wildfire...

JOSH FUNK, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pilots of helicopter that crashed while fighting wildfire in Utah are dead, officials say

Two helicopter pilots who crashed while they were fighting a wildfire in Utah are dead, officials confirmed Saturday.

18 hours ago

wells road fire whitman county evacuations...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Wells Road Fire burns more than 1,000 acres in Whitman County; GO NOW evacuations ordered

Level 3 GO NOW Evacuations are in place in Whitman County as the Wells Road Fire burns an estimated 1,000 acres as of Saturday evening.

18 hours ago

Bite of Seattle shooting gang katie wilson...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘Can we change the narrative?’: King County prosecutor pushes to tighten WA’s juvenile gun law amid Bite of Seattle fallout

King County Prosecutor Leesa Manion is pushing to tighten Washington's juvenile gun laws amid fallout from a shooting at the Bite of Seattle.

20 hours ago

The Three Queens Fire near Snoqualmie Pass and Kachess Lake increased to more than 800 acres this w...

Tom Brock

Racing the Flames: Fast-growing wildfire forces evacuations near Snoqualmie Pass & Kachess Lake

A lightning-caused wildfire six miles west of Snoqualmie Pass is growing and threatening cabins at the north end of Kachess Lake.

1 day ago

The tiny eyes of about 20 cats are focused on a Tacoma police officer as he snaps a shot of them on...

Tom Brock

How 30+ cats survived on an abandoned Tacoma boat

Officers say they responded after receiving reports from people who spotted a lot of cats on a sailboat anchored just off Owen Beach, on the northern tip of Point Defiance Park

2 days ago

mount rainier white river sunrise wildfire...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Sunrise and White River entrance at Mount Rainier closed due to wildfire

The White River entrance to Mount Rainier National Park is closed until further notice due to a fire in the park.

2 days ago

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn gets first challenger