⢠The largest chunk of votersâ25 percent of themâare still undecided in Seattle's nine-way mayoral race, according to the latest poll, sponsored by KING 5 and conducted by SurveyUSA. Ed Murray and Mike McGinn were statistically tied at 22 percent and 21 percent respectively in the July 18 survey. Peter Steinbrueck had 14 percent, and Bruce Harrell had 11 percent. That said, at this point in the 2009 mayoral race, eventual primary winners McGinn and Joe Mallahan trailed with only 8 percent each, so there is hope for Doug McQuaid and Joey Gray yet!
⢠Washington State Democratic Party chair Dwight Pelz took an unusual leap into city politics last weekend when he sent an e-mail blasting Peter Steinbrueck for being an outspoken Ralph Nader supporter during the ill-fated 2000 presidential election. "As you know, it was Nader's candidacy that allowed Bush to win the White House," Pelz prodded, "and the rest is history." Nader focused his efforts in pro-Gore states like Washington, forcing Gore to spend resources here that could've been spent in, you know, Florida.
⢠In a mansion on north Capitol Hill last week, former governor Chris Gregoireâwho is famously bitter at Mayor McGinn for saying she couldn't be trustedâgave a keynote pep talk at a fundraiser for Ed Murray. As evidence that Murray can unite politicians, Gregoire claimed Murray could "not only stop the legislature from doing something stupid, he can get them to do the right thing." (Apparently, "the right thing" includes the Democratic caucus fracturing when Murray became the senate's party leader this year and Republicans took over.) After Gregoire's speech, Murray took a jab at McGinn's advocacy for light rail and cycling by saying the city needs a plan that does not "divide us based on modes of transportation." Apparently Murray, who sponsored the biggest freeway packages in state history and was the primary backer of a downtown tunnel that will have zero transit, thinks light-rail lines and bike lanes are divisive but freeways promote unity. Attendees were encouraged to donate the maximum $700; Murray leads in polls and money, with contributions totaling $338,264.
⢠Independent-expenditure campaigns are getting ready to drop some cash. "People for Ed Murray" reports $80,000 in contributions from conservative-leaning establishment lobbies that include the chamber of commerce, the Washington Restaurant Association, and the Washington Beverage Association. Power to the people! But then UNITE HERE Local 8, the union representing hotel and restaurant workers, jumped into the fray with a pro-McGinn political action committee funded by a $50,000 contribution from the union's national organization.
⢠The Stranger did not endorse Ed Murray for mayor, although you wouldn't know it from Murray's latest campaign mailer, which features a quote from The Stranger amid a field of "key endorsements." Kinda dishonest. Also, the quote he choseâ"If anyone has the pedigree to be the first gay man to top city hall, it's obviously Murray"âwas, um, a buttfucking joke. For the record, The Stranger has endorsed Mayor Mike McGinn.
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