(Added 12:09 pm: Unedited video of the mayor’s 9-minute speech)
10:29 AM: We’re at Alki Bathhouse, where Mayor Murray has just taken the stage.
Front of the room pic.twitter.com/1ysFCJP4aC
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) May 9, 2017
(Front of the room, moments before the mayor arrived)
We’re told he will not take questions after making his statement. He begins, “I’m happy to be back home in Alki, where I spent my childhood … Alki is my favorite place on this planet. I’m happy to be back .. where it all began. I’m happy to be back here, a poor kid from this neighborhood who never even heard the word ‘gay’.” He says he’s “standing here before you as your mayor” and gets applause – a round of which greeted his arrival.
He is detailing achievements, starting with transportation, including the Viaduct/tunnel. “I’m happy to have been here, and to have been in the (state) House … and I’m happy after a 29-year battle to have passed the (LGBTQ) civil-rights bill.” More applause.
He continues to run through highlights of his career. “I’m happy to have been part of some remarkable achievements … from the civil-rights bill to the ring I wear on my finger.” Husband Michael Shiosaki is standing at his left. Murray’s voice is breaking a bit. “… We together have made progress as a city,” he continues.
Part of what the mayor just said in explaining why he will not run again. pic.twitter.com/qETo1gAXkS
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) May 9, 2017
(One minute of the mayor’s speech just before confirming he won’t run for re-election)
He is withdrawing as a candidate for mayor, he said at 10:34 am. He says the mayor’s race must focus on the future, and the “scandal” – referring to the lawsuit accusing him of sexually abusing minors decades ago – is making that impossible. He says it is hurting this city, as well as hurting him and his husband.
But, he says, deciding not to run for “the best job in politics – mayor of the city of Seattle – this career that has been my life” is painful. “It tears me to pieces to step away, but I believe it is in the best interest of this city that I love.”
… “I plan to remain mayor of this city until the end of my term, and I will be just as active (then as before). … As I have said in my final State of the City address, we cannot wait, Seattle cannot wait, we must continue moving forward.” And he thanks those who have stood by him for years, volunteers, family, friends. “I thank you for your support and your love .. and to the people of Seattle, thank you for the opportunity to serve you and this great city … It has been the absolute absolute opportunity of a lifetime.”
10:42 AM: The mayor has finished his remarks, and as an assistant told us beforehand, did not stay for questions. He left the stage after hugs and applause:
Mayor has finished speaking. pic.twitter.com/bnWOhx25pN
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) May 9, 2017
So who WILL be on the August 1st primary ballot? Next week is the official filing week for candidates, but 11 – besides Murray – have already filed campaign notices with the city – see them here – and we’ve heard of at least two more who aren’t listed there.
11:31 AM: We are back at HQ, uploading our video with the mayor’s entire statement, and we’ll be adding a few photos too. Here is the news release just published on the city website; it’s been one month and two days since the Seattle Times published first word of the lawsuit against the mayor.
While the mayor left right after his statement, some of those who stood behind him and along the walls inside the Bathhouse went outside and mingled a while in the sunshine, some doing TV interviews.
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