Murray isn't waiting to announce for re-election in 2017, unveils big dreams



less Mayor Ed Murray demands much from his city's voters. Here, he announces the $930 "Move Seattle" transportation levy, nearly triple the previous $365 "Bridging the Gap." Street repairs promised in the 2006 levy hadn't been made then, still haven't been made. But generous Seattle voters passed the levy. Mayor Ed Murray demands much from his city's voters. Here, he announces the $930 "Move Seattle" transportation levy, nearly triple the previous $365 "Bridging the Gap." Street repairs promised in the 2006 ... more Photo: Joshua Trujillo, Seattlepi.com Photo: Joshua Trujillo, Seattlepi.com Image 1 of / 11 Caption Close Murray isn't waiting to announce for re-election in 2017, unveils big dreams 1 / 11 Back to Gallery

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray is running for reelection in 2017, and revealed his plans to a crowd of 1,000 people Tuesday at a Westin fundraiser a full three weeks before the end of the 2016 election campaign.

The Mayor's message seemed twofold: The city is in much better shape and I'm the person to fix it.

The Emerald City was a scene of "polarization, paralysis and disagreement" when he took office in 2013, Murray argued, but has since led America on the $15-an-hour minimum wage, given a big boost to bus rapid transit, funded Seattle Parks, and passed a big housing levy.

"We have made our government not a forum for posturing, but achievement," the Mayor said. "Despite huge gains that we have made for a more equitable city, there is much that still divides us. . . On homelessness, we are still divided."

The Mayor does not yet have a heavyweight or even a middleweight challenger. Seattle City Council member Mike O'Brien, the name most often mentioned, seems disinclined. With good reason. Murray would crush him like a bug.

Still, Murray is quite aware that Seattle voters ousted Mayor Paul Schell in 2001, Mayor Greg Nickels in 2009, and Mayor Mike McGinn in 2013. They are massively generous in passing massive property tax levies, but impatient with city leaders.

Actually, the show of strength at the Westin was Murray's second campaign coming out. He held a pricey event a few weeks ago at the Capitol Hill home of public affairs consultant Roger Nyhus, who hosts the city's LGBT movers and shakers.

Murray does have plenty of opposition, however.

He is an old fashioned, social gospel Catholic Democrat, dedicated in his words to make government "an agent for building community." He is committed to showing America , and showing America that progressive governing can function and get results.

The opposition comes from the far left rather than the political right.

While Murray is committed to hammering out solutions -- usually with a working group of all major interests impacted -- radical critics have treated police reform, homelessness and the shortage of affordable housing as organizing tools. They are NOT seeking solutions.

Hence, the city is experiencing rowdy City Council meetings with posturing by socialist Council member Kshama Sawant and frequent ally O'Brien. At times, it seems that the Council's goal is to send the demonstrators home happy.

The activism of Murray is of a different scope. It is rooted in his career at the Legislature. Murray advanced LGBT rights step by step, culminating with passage of same-sex marriage in 2012. He fought for a big statewide transportation package in 2005, winning its enactment at the polls when a previous measure had been rejected.

"I know many people dislike incrementalism, but I remind you that it is the definition of progress . . . Not everything has to be done in one step," said State Rep. Eileen Cody, D-Seattle, for 10 years Murray's seatmate in the Legislature.

In contrast to Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, running for reelection this year, Murray is articulating a clear, specific agenda for his second term.

He is driven to complete reform of the Seattle Police Department, ordered by the U.S. Justice Department. "We are on the road to compliance on (Justice's) consent decree," said Murray. He mentioned the crisis deescalation training now being given officers.

In a few weeks, said Hizzoner, he will send to the Council "legislation to create the highest level of (police) oversight this city has ever seen." Granted, the SPD's internal review process hasn't amounted to much oversight.

The Mayor isn't stopping there. "When we deal with this challenge of racism, we cannot stop with police reform," he said.

He is committed to the city's startup preschool program, and closing the achievement gap in Seattle Public Schools to "finally change the results for people of color" and "insure excellence from preschool to career for all children of Seattle."

An ambitious Mayor, one not afraid to ask voters for a $930 million transportation levy -- despite multiple messes created by the Seattle Department of Transportation -- and now double down by backing the $54 billion Sound Transit 3 levy.

"Now we need to pass Sound Transit 3 on the ballot in November," said Murray. (The 25-year light rail plan would impose a half-cent increase in the sales tax, boost property taxes and increase the motor vehicle excise tax.)

Life with Ed Murray is never dull. The Mayor runs a high pressure, very political office. Aides often last 12-16 months before moving to less stressful jobs (while maintaining loyalty). The city's residents get asked to pay higher property taxes, while their streets get ripped up.

The Mayor is one shaped by experience, as a child the inability of his parents to keep six kids under one roof, , and the experience of his Japanese in-laws in seeking to find a home when race was a big deal in Spokane.

Murray wants everyone in Seattle to have a roof over his/her head, and all children to get an equal education, and all workers to earn a living wage.

The Mayor is a man who dreams big dreams, and impatiently pursues them.