Seattle’s mayoral race, a hotly contested race between current and former Seattle City Council presidents, ended in a landslide victory for Bruce Harrell with 65% of the votes.

The election, a race between progressive and moderate Democrats, was affected by the progressive agenda of defunding the police and addressing homelessness.

The incumbent Jenny Durkan and progressive candidate Lorena Gonzalez both took political hits over their handling of the coronavirus pandemic and BLM protests.

Durkan did not seek reelection. Bruce Harrell is Seattle’s First Asian American Mayor.

The Seattle City Council has chosen Councilman Tim Burgess to replace Council President Bruce Harrell as temporary mayor of the city to serve the next 71 days till a newly elected mayor is set to take charge.

Harrell became mayor after additional allegations of sexual abuse came out against Ed Murray.

The city charter allowed Harrell to vacate the position after five days if he did not wish to continue to serve as mayor.

The November mayoral election results will be certified November 28.

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray resigned after his cousin stepped forward as the fifth man to accuse Murray publicly of sexually abusing him as a minor.

After the accusations of sexual abuse earlier this year, Murray denied wrongdoing but announced he would not seek reelection.

City Councilman Bruce Harrell will become mayor and has five days to decide whether to fill out the remainder of Murray’s term.

Photo of Seattle City Hall By SounderBruce via Wikimedia Commons