Mayor Ed Murray announced in a statement this afternoon that he will resign, effective tomorrow at 5 p.m. Murray's cousin, Joseph Dyer, alleged to the Times this morning that Murray repeatedly molested him when he was a teenager in the 1970s.
Murray continued to deny the allegations.
"While the allegations against me are not true, it is important that my personal issues do not affect the ability of our City government to conduct the public's business," Murray said.
Here is Murray's full statement about his resignation:
“I am announcing my resignation as mayor, effective at 5 p.m. tomorrow.
“While the allegations against me are not true, it is important that my personal issues do not affect the ability of our City government to conduct the public’s business.
“I’m proud of all that I have accomplished over my 19 years in the Legislature, where I was able to pass what were at the time the largest transportation packages in state history, a landmark gay civil rights bill and a historic marriage equality bill.
“And I am proud of what we have accomplished together at the City during my time as mayor, passing a nation-leading $15 minimum wage, and major progressive housing affordability and police accountability legislation, as well as negotiating an agreement to build a world-class arena that I believe in time will bring the NHL and NBA to Seattle.
“But it has also become clear to me that in light of the latest news reports it is best for the city if I step aside.
“To the people of this special city and to my dedicated staff, I am sorry for this painful situation.
“In the interest of an orderly transition of power, Council President Bruce Harrell will become Mayor upon my resignation, and will decide within the following five days whether he will fill out the remainder of my term. During this time Director of Operations Fred Podesta has been tasked with leading the transition.”
Per city rules, City Council President Bruce Harrell has five days to accept the mayorship.
Representatives with Harrell's office said the council member will release a statement about Murray's resignation this afternoon.
After City Councilmember Lorena González called on Murray to resign in July, Harrell told reporters that Seattleites "did not ask us to judge anyone for something that happened 33 years ago or maybe didn't happen. We just don't know. And I would ask that I don't want to be judged for anything 33 years ago."
Mayoral candidate Jenny Durkan called on Murray to resign this morning after Murray's cousin's allegations broke. Durkan previously accepted Murray's endorsement after he ended his reelection campaign. Her opponent, Cary Moon, first called for Murray to step down in May, but renewed her demand today.
Council Member Kshama Sawant, who in July called on the mayor to resign, said she is "relieved" at today's news.
Sawant commended "all individuals and organizations—including Danni Askini of the Gender Justice League, the City of Seattle’s LGBTQ Commission and Human Rights Commission, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), and Council Member [Lorena] Gonzaález—who showed courage and leadership in calling on Murray to resign. Unfortunately, the majority of the city council failed to show any such leadership."
Sawant called for a city budget that funds shelters for domestic violence survivors and programs for LGBTQ youth.
"But helping sexual assault survivors also includes addressing the root causes of abuse: poverty, social isolation, and the immense power disparities that plague this highly unequal and deeply oppressive capitalist society," Sawant said.
See other council members' reactions to the news here and reactions from Murray's accusers here.
This is a developing story. This post will be updated.
