MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Who will become Seattle’s 55th mayor?

Sep 18, 2017, 6:23 AM | Updated: 7:06 am

Bruce Harrell, fundraising campaigns, Compassion Seattle...

Mayoral candidate Bruce Harrell. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Seattle could have a new mayor by the end of the day on Monday.

RELATED: Police asked to investigate Ed Murray’s time in Ireland

On Friday, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced he will not continue to serve as the city’s mayor. The role will be turned over to another city council member.

The council will likely nominate someone Monday to replace former Mayor Ed Murray, who resigned last week in the face of new sexual abuse allegations.

Council members don’t have to actually vote someone right away. They have another 15 days before they have to make a decision.

Councilmember Tim Burgess seems to be a favorite, as he’s retiring at the end of the year.

M. Lorena Gonzalez, council president pro tem, was another name being tossed around for mayor. However, she ended any speculation Monday morning.

“Over the past week, there has been much speculation about whether I would consider serving as the Interim Mayor in the wake of Ed Murray’s resignation from the Office of the Mayor,” she said in a statement. “I do not intend to seek a nomination to be the City of Seattle’s 55th Mayor.”

Burgess released a statement saying, “I intend to withhold comment on my intentions for considering an appointment to the Office of the Mayor until the Full Council convenes on Monday.”

In his short term as Seattle’s 54th mayor, Harrell signed four executive orders calling for the cleanup of Seattle’s grubbiest streets and requested a closer look into whether or not city accounts can be hacked into.

Harrell also said he’s throwing Seattle’s hat into the ring for Amazon’s second headquarters.

Whoever the council votes in will only serve until Nov. 28 when either Jenny Durkan or Cary Moon will take over.

MyNorthwest News

alaska army plane...

BECKY BOHRER, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

US Army Corps of Engineers chartered plane crashes near Alaska radar site, killing all 8 aboard

A small plane chartered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers traveling to the site of a remote aircraft-tracking radar in western Alaska crashed near its destination, killing all eight people aboard.

42 minutes ago

teen brawl pierce transit bus...

MyNorthwest Staff

Teen brawl on Pierce Transit bus ends with two arrests, driver and passengers pepper sprayed

Two 18-year-olds were arrested after a brawl broke out between groups of teenagers on a Pierce Transit bus Tuesday night at the South Hill Mall Transit Center.

2 hours ago

microsoft israel protest...

Nia Bliss, KIRO 7 News

One year after protest, organizers say Microsoft still needs to cut ties with Israeli military

One year after Microsoft workers, former employees, and community activists set up an encampment at Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, organizers said the big tech company still needs to cut ties to the Israeli military.

2 hours ago

jimothy...

Katy Wade, KIRO 7 News

Hot Jimothy Summer Forever: Artist raises $271K for local food bank, businesses host paint-and-sips

A one-of-a-kind painting of Jimothy the Raccoon has raised more than $271,000 for the Ballard Food Bank, according to the artist who painted him.

2 hours ago

redmond tennis U.S. open...

Frank Lenzi

She came to Redmond at 10 to chase a tennis dream. Now she’s headed to the U.S. Open.

On a tennis court in Redmond, Washington, a 16-year-old from Moscow, Russia, is making history one swing at a time.

3 hours ago

seattle weekend...

Paul Holden

Free festivals, a 50th birthday party, and Movie at the Mural: Your Seattle weekend guide

Another weekend is here as prime time in the Pacific Northwest keeps rolling on — let's dive into all the fun!

3 hours ago

Who will become Seattle’s 55th mayor?