Pol Who Led Gay Marriage Fight Wins Seattle Mayor’s Race

Ed Murray knocks off incumbent Mike McGinn

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The Washington state senator who led the successful effort to legalize same-sex marriage will be Seattle’s next mayor.

State Senator Ed Murray won 56 percent of the vote, the Associated Press reports, knocking off incumbent Mayor Mike McGinn. Washington state conducts all elections by mail-in ballots and the results were tallied over the course of two days.

A longtime state lawmaker, Murray will become Seattle’s first openly gay mayor. He pushed for years to legalize same-sex marriage in the state, which voters approved in a referendum last year.

In the race to lead the northwest’s largest city, both mayoral candidates campaigned on a liberal platform that included new taxes, a $15 minimum wage and legalizing marijuana, but in declaring victory, Murray stressed that he will focus on competent government. “We want Seattle to be an example of how government can function,” Murray said.

[AP]