Primary ballots are being mailed next week. Next goddamn week. And summer just started. So it’s time to limber up your voting fingers by voting in a poll more legally binding than a Egyptian military dictate.
In our last Slog poll, Mayor Mike McGinn took the lead at 43 percent and state senator Ed Murray trailed in second at 33 percent. But so much has changed. Murray’s taken a slew of establishment endorsements, Murray has announced that he’s gay, and Murray has vowed to fight “the ugliest campaign Seattle has ever seen.” That’s endearing, right?
Meanwhile, McGinn is covering up his blunders by talking about his accomplishments while Peter Steinbrueck, the former council member and son of his father, is coasting on name recognition and a fire hose of nonstop rage from “neighborhood activists” intent on turning Seattle in Phoenix. Another leading contender, Council Member Bruce Harrell, has since come out to say that he would—and talk about a lonely position—have fought in court to defend the police department from charges of pervasive use of excessive force. That’s gotta charm a dozen troglodytes in blue. And finally, there are five other candidates who have faded into the also-ran patina of the mayor’s race or thrown tantrums that further marginalize their candidacy.
So now that the game’s changed—or has it?—it’s time to vote. Here’s the lineup on your primary ballot (click their names for more info or read about all of them here):
1. Joey Gray
2. Seattle City Council member Bruce Harrell
3. Kate Martin
4. Mary Martin
5. Mayor Mike McGinn
6. Doug McQuaid
7. State senator Ed Murray
8. Charlie Staadecker
9. Former city council member Peter Steinbrueck
This poll will close Friday at 5:00 p.m. So get clickin’!