Seattle mayoral election, 2009
Encyclopedia
The 2009 Seattle mayoral election took place November 3, 2009.
Incumbent
Mayor Greg Nickels
sought reelection but finished third in the August 18, 2009 primary election. The general election was instead between Joe Mallahan
and Michael McGinn
. After a very close initial count, McGinn beat Mallahan in the election, becoming Seattle's next mayor.
Nickels' administration was faulted for not doing enough to prevent the Seattle SuperSonics
NBA franchise from relocating to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
. Nickels was also heavily criticized for the city's policy of not using salt for snow removal due to potential environmental concerns, which contributed to the city's congested traffic in December 2008 after one of the greatest snowfalls in the city since 1996. The Proposed replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct
and a tax on plastic bags at grocery stores were two key issues of the campaign.
in the lead with 24 percent voter backing. While a significant lead over all other candidates, the undecided voter percentage of 26 percent indicated room for any candidate to take the lead in the primary held on August 18. In second place after Greg Nickels was Mike McGinn with 16 percent. And in third place, Joe Mallahan
with 14 percent. The survey polled 500 people with a margin of error of + or - 4.3 percent.
standing at 26.9 percent. Incumbent Greg Nickels
showed with 25.4 percent. Due to Washington's top-two primary system, this eliminated Nickels from the running. Nickels gave his concession speech on August 21 at Seattle City Hall
. Mallahan and McGinn advanced to the general election in November.
and conducted by SurveyUSA
showed Joe Mallahan ahead with 43% to Michael McGinn's 36% with a margin of error of 4.1%. Mallahan held a lead among college graduates, Democrats, Republicans, Independents and those describing themselves as moderates and conservatives. McGinn was shown to hold a lead among Asian-Americans, younger voters and those that describe themselves as liberals. McGinn changed his position on the Deep Bore Tunnel that same day with following statement, "If I'm elected mayor, though I disagree with this decision, it will be my job to uphold and execute this agreement," McGinn said. "It is not the mayor's job to withhold the cooperation of city government in executing this agreement." It was enough to push McGinn ahead of Mallahan by election day.
As of November 9, 2009, the vote totals were
Mallahan conceded on November 9 after his deficit grew to nearly 5,000 votes.
Incumbent
Incumbent
The incumbent, in politics, is the existing holder of a political office. This term is usually used in reference to elections, in which races can often be defined as being between an incumbent and non-incumbent. For example, in the 2004 United States presidential election, George W...
Mayor Greg Nickels
Greg Nickels
Gregory J. "Greg" Nickels was the 51st mayor of Seattle, Washington. He took office on January 1, 2002 and was reelected to a second term in 2005. In August 2009, Nickels finished third in the primary election for Seattle mayor, failing to qualify for the November 2009 general election, and...
sought reelection but finished third in the August 18, 2009 primary election. The general election was instead between Joe Mallahan
Joe Mallahan
Joe Mallahan is a telecommunications executive, former Chicago community organizer and unsuccessful candidate in the 2009 Seattle mayoral election...
and Michael McGinn
Michael McGinn
Michael "Mike" Patrick McGinn is the mayor of Seattle, a lawyer, Greenwood neighborhood activist and a former Sierra Club state chair...
. After a very close initial count, McGinn beat Mallahan in the election, becoming Seattle's next mayor.
Background
In a November 2008 poll of likely Seattle voters, 31% approved of Nickels's performance as mayor while 57% disapproved. A January 2009 poll found a net job approval of minus 33.Nickels' administration was faulted for not doing enough to prevent the Seattle SuperSonics
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
NBA franchise from relocating to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Seattle SuperSonics relocation to Oklahoma City
The Seattle SuperSonics relocation to Oklahoma City was a successful effort by the ownership group of the Seattle SuperSonics to move the team to Oklahoma City...
. Nickels was also heavily criticized for the city's policy of not using salt for snow removal due to potential environmental concerns, which contributed to the city's congested traffic in December 2008 after one of the greatest snowfalls in the city since 1996. The Proposed replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct
Proposed replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct
The Alaskan Way Viaduct is a viaduct bridge in the city of Seattle, Washington, that carries Washington State Route 99 over the Elliott Bay waterfront between the city's Industrial District and Belltown...
and a tax on plastic bags at grocery stores were two key issues of the campaign.
Primary candidates (in alphabetic order)
- Elizabeth Campbell, Magnolia resident and activist
- James DonaldsonJames Donaldson (basketball)James Lee Donaldson III is a retired professional English-American basketball player who grew up in California and played 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association....
, former Seattle SuperSonicsSeattle SuperSonicsThe Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
player - Jan DragoJan DragoJan Drago is an American politician from Seattle who has served on both Seattle City Council and King County Council.Drago was a member of Seattle City Council until her run run for mayor in 2009, having served since January 1994 on Seattle City Council...
, Seattle City Councilwoman - Kwame Garrett
- Joe MallahanJoe MallahanJoe Mallahan is a telecommunications executive, former Chicago community organizer and unsuccessful candidate in the 2009 Seattle mayoral election...
, Vice President for T-Mobile, a cellular communications company headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. - Michael McGinnMichael McGinnMichael "Mike" Patrick McGinn is the mayor of Seattle, a lawyer, Greenwood neighborhood activist and a former Sierra Club state chair...
, Sierra ClubSierra ClubThe Sierra Club is the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. It was founded on May 28, 1892, in San Francisco, California, by the conservationist and preservationist John Muir, who became its first president...
leader and activist - Greg NickelsGreg NickelsGregory J. "Greg" Nickels was the 51st mayor of Seattle, Washington. He took office on January 1, 2002 and was reelected to a second term in 2005. In August 2009, Nickels finished third in the primary election for Seattle mayor, failing to qualify for the November 2009 general election, and...
, Seattle Mayor since 2001 - Norman Sigler, former Alaska Airlines manager
Early polling
A poll conducted on August 12 showed incumbent Greg NickelsGreg Nickels
Gregory J. "Greg" Nickels was the 51st mayor of Seattle, Washington. He took office on January 1, 2002 and was reelected to a second term in 2005. In August 2009, Nickels finished third in the primary election for Seattle mayor, failing to qualify for the November 2009 general election, and...
in the lead with 24 percent voter backing. While a significant lead over all other candidates, the undecided voter percentage of 26 percent indicated room for any candidate to take the lead in the primary held on August 18. In second place after Greg Nickels was Mike McGinn with 16 percent. And in third place, Joe Mallahan
Joe Mallahan
Joe Mallahan is a telecommunications executive, former Chicago community organizer and unsuccessful candidate in the 2009 Seattle mayoral election...
with 14 percent. The survey polled 500 people with a margin of error of + or - 4.3 percent.
Primary results
The primary elections were held on August 18. The final results were posted on September 2, and show Mike McGinn in first place with 27.7 percent of the popular vote, narrowly leading Joe MallahanJoe Mallahan
Joe Mallahan is a telecommunications executive, former Chicago community organizer and unsuccessful candidate in the 2009 Seattle mayoral election...
standing at 26.9 percent. Incumbent Greg Nickels
Greg Nickels
Gregory J. "Greg" Nickels was the 51st mayor of Seattle, Washington. He took office on January 1, 2002 and was reelected to a second term in 2005. In August 2009, Nickels finished third in the primary election for Seattle mayor, failing to qualify for the November 2009 general election, and...
showed with 25.4 percent. Due to Washington's top-two primary system, this eliminated Nickels from the running. Nickels gave his concession speech on August 21 at Seattle City Hall
Seattle City Hall
Seattle City Hall is located in downtown Seattle, Washington, between 4th Avenue and 5th Avenue. The building houses the offices of the Seattle City Council and the Mayor of Seattle. Most city departments are located in the nearby Seattle Municipal Tower...
. Mallahan and McGinn advanced to the general election in November.
General election
An October 20 poll commissioned by KING-TVKING-TV
KING-TV, virtual channel 5, is a television station in Seattle, Washington, affiliated with the NBC network. Owned by Belo Corporation, it broadcasts on UHF digital channel 48. Its offices and broadcasting center are located just east of Seattle Center...
and conducted by SurveyUSA
SurveyUSA
SurveyUSA is a polling firm in the United States. It conducts market research for corporations and interest groups, but is best known for conducting opinion polls for various political offices and questions...
showed Joe Mallahan ahead with 43% to Michael McGinn's 36% with a margin of error of 4.1%. Mallahan held a lead among college graduates, Democrats, Republicans, Independents and those describing themselves as moderates and conservatives. McGinn was shown to hold a lead among Asian-Americans, younger voters and those that describe themselves as liberals. McGinn changed his position on the Deep Bore Tunnel that same day with following statement, "If I'm elected mayor, though I disagree with this decision, it will be my job to uphold and execute this agreement," McGinn said. "It is not the mayor's job to withhold the cooperation of city government in executing this agreement." It was enough to push McGinn ahead of Mallahan by election day.
As of November 9, 2009, the vote totals were
Mallahan conceded on November 9 after his deficit grew to nearly 5,000 votes.