Murray Will Face Incumbent McGinn in Seattle Mayor Race

LOS ANGELES -- State Sen. Ed Murray got the most votes in Tuesday’s primary for Seattle mayor, followed by incumbent Mike McGinn, according to preliminary election results.

McGinn and Murray will face off in November’s general election.

According to preliminary results released by King County, Murray led with 30.24% of Tuesday’s votes, followed closely by McGinn who received 27.15% of the votes. Both are Democrats.

Murray, who led efforts to make gay marriage legal in Washington, currently serves in the Washington State Senate. Before he was elected to Senate in 2006, he served 11 years in the state’s House of Representatives.

“It’s clear from tonight’s results that the people of Seattle want new leadership,” Murray told supporters late Tuesday night. “They’re excited about the possibility of new leadership that is collaborative, new leadership that will deliver results, deliver results in the challenges this city faces, from transit to transportation to education to public safety to the environment to social services.”

McGinn, a lawyer and political activist, was elected to office in 2009 with support from environmentalists, biking advocates, musicians, advocates for the poor, and younger voters. In that election, two-term incumbent Greg Nickels was ousted in the primary.

“Four years ago people asked how this activist got elected,” McGinn said to supporters Tuesday. “They’re still asking.”

He also said that he’s proud of what he has stood for, citing his support for the environment and for low-wage workers.

Murray and McGinn were significantly ahead of the other candidates. Former City Councilman Peter Steinbrueck came in third with 16.26%, and City Councilman Bruce Harrell came in fourth with 15.48%.

Voters will return to the polls on Nov. 5 for the general election.

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Washington
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