The latest person rumored to be entering the mayor’s race is former King County Council chief of staff Ross Baker, an unsuccessful candidate for the city council seat vacated by Jim Compton in 2006. (Sally Clark ultimately won the seat). Also rumored to be running: Joe Mallahan, a Wallingford resident and T-Mobile VP.
Meanwhile, Jan Drago, who’s retiring from city council this year, says she’s still seriously considering getting into the mayoral race. “I’m not going to go on a fool’s errand,” Drago says, “but there are a lot of people who would like to see a different style of mayor.” Drago acknowledges that her differences with the mayor are more about style than substance (although she adds, “I certainly have my differences with the mayor.”) “It’s the difference between Chicago style and Seattle style. [I can] work together with the council and restore the relationship between the mayor and the citizens.” Drago says she’s taking “ten days to two weeks” to decide if her candidacy is viable (meaning, presumably: to do a poll).
Ross Baker is a stand up guy. I worked with him a while back and was quite impressed. He comes across as pretty laid back and unimposing, but the guy is incredibly smart, very committed, and genuinely nice.
I don’t know if he’d make a good mayor or a good candidate, but he is someone I’d certainly consider supporting.
Ross Ho Hum
Signed: Waiting for Drago
Jan’s dreaming.
Ross Baker is reeeeeeeealy dreaming.
Mayor Nickels does not deserve to waltz into a third term. If he wins, a big IF, he needs to earn that honor. We need a viable candidate to step up and run against him. We do not have one now. Drago would definitely change things up, for the better, in my opinion.
Dan S ftw!