Councilmember Pedersen Statement on Mayor Jenny Durkan’s decision not to seek re-election



Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan during a news conference on Sept. 2.  (Elaine Thompson / Associated Press)
photo by Associated Press, published in Seattle Times

I was saddened to hear that our Mayor Jenny Durkan has decided not to seek re-election as the Chief Executive of our City. 

Mayor Durkan’s smart, balanced, and compassionate leadership of Seattle has been vital for guiding and sustaining our city through an unprecedented combination of crises: a pandemic, a recession, a racial reckoning, homelessness, the West Seattle bridge closure, and an antagonistic Trump Administration.

Mayor Durkan and her talented team have steadily managed 40 city government departments through her hard-working department heads, investing $6.5 billion each year to improve our city and the lives of its 750,000 residents. Getting things done in public office — despite such a divisive political landscape — Jenny Durkan and her family should be commended for the generous sacrifices they have made and continue to make for our city.

Thankfully, Jenny Durkan is still our Mayor for another full year and I plan to continue my constructive work with her and her team for positive results that benefit all of Seattle, including the Equitable Communities Initiative task force, enhancing the response to homelessness, supporting small businesses impacted by COVID, achieving Internet for All, and improving the safety of Seattle’s bridges.

  • For Mayor Durkan’s original video announcement, CLICK HERE.
  • For Mayor Durkan’s statement to the Seattle Times, CLICK HERE.

# # #

© 1995-2016 City of Seattle