Ron Sims says he’s not running for Seattle mayor
Mar 11, 2013, 3:41 PM | Updated: 3:50 pm
Former King County Executive Ron Sims says he won't run for Seattle mayor, despite widespread speculation and a strong showing in a recent poll.(AP image)
(AP image)
Former King County Executive Ron Sims says he won’t run for Seattle mayor, despite widespread speculation and a strong showing in a recent poll.
Sims announced his decision Monday in an interview with KUOW. Sims, who retired from his post as deputy secretary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in 2011, said Seattle’s next mayor should use the “bully pulpit” to demand “world class schools.” He also took a veiled swipe at Mayor Mike McGinn, saying Seattle “needs some vision.”
“There are other mountains I want to climb, and my wife and I want to climb them together,” he said of the decision made after consulting family and close friends. He said the couple wants to work on issues “that are far more important to us,” like clean water and worldwide health.
“I want this to be a great city, I really do, but the answer is no. After 25 years and one heck of a run, no. It would be an honor to be mayor, but somebody else is going to have to be mayor.”
The decision could provide much needed help to McGinn’s re-election efforts. A recent SurveyUSA/KING 5 poll of registered voters found the mayor and Sims tied at 15 percent each, with 34 percent undecided. But the same poll showed McGinn jumping to 19 percent if Sims were taken out of the equation. City Councilmember Tim Burgess was second at 11 percent.
Along with Burgess, other announced challengers include City Councilmember Bruce Harrell, former City Councilmember Peter Steinbrueck, state Sen. Ed Murray, businessman Charlie Staadecker, Greenwood neighborhood activist Kate Martin and artist David Ishii.
