Mayor of Seattle explained

Post:Mayor
Body:Seattle
Incumbent:Bruce Harrell
Incumbentsince:January 1, 2022
Department:Government of Seattle
Style:The Honorable
Termlength:4 years
Formation:December 2, 1869
Inaugural:Henry A. Atkins
Insignia:Seal of Seattle, Washington.png
Insigniasize:100

The Mayor of Seattle is the head of the executive branch of the city government of Seattle, Washington. The mayor is authorized by the city charter to enforce laws enacted by the Seattle City Council, as well as direct subordinate officers in city departments.[1] [2] (The Seattle City Council, the legislative branch of city government, is led by the council president.)

The mayor serves a four-year term, without term limits, and is chosen in citywide, two-round elections between nonpartisan candidates.

Since the appointment of Henry A. Atkins in 1869, 56 individuals have held the office of mayor. The city elected Bertha Knight Landes, the first female mayor of a major U.S. city, in 1926.[3] Several mayors have served non-consecutive terms, while others have resigned or faced recall elections.[4] [5] Charles Royer holds the record for longest mayoral tenure in the city's history, serving three full terms from 1978 to 1990.[6]

Bruce Harrell took office as mayor on January 1, 2022, becoming the first Asian-American and second African-American mayor in Seattle's History.[7]

History

Seattle was initially incorporated as a town on January 14, 1865, by the Washington Territorial Legislature, governed by a board of trustees. Charles C. Terry served as president of the board of trustees,[8] which remained unchanged until the town's disincorporation on January 28, 1867.[2] The town of Seattle was incorporated a second time on December 2, 1869, with a new city charter that established the position of mayor. Henry A. Atkins was appointed the first mayor of Seattle by the Territorial Legislature, and was elected to the office on July 11, 1870.[9] [10]

A new city charter, the Freeholders Charter, was adopted in 1890 and extended the mayor's term in office from one year to two years, but barred consecutive terms.[11] [12] The charter also moved elections to the first Monday in March and required the mayor to be at least 30 years of age and live within the city for two years.[11] [13]

A new city charter that was approved by the city's voters in 1946 lengthened the term of office for mayors from two years to four years, starting with the 1948 elections.[11] [14] In 1969 the age and residence requirements were removed from the charter.[15]

Duties and powers

The mayor is the head of the executive branch of Seattle's municipal government, charged with the appointment and management of 25 department and commission heads that work directly for the mayor.[16] In the event of an absence of the mayor, the president of the Seattle City Council assumes the duties of the position as mayor pro tem until their return, but a notification is not necessary under the city charter.[17]

Elections and succession

The mayor is elected in a citywide election held every four years, composed of two stages: a primary election in August and a general election between the top two candidates in November. Elections are officially non-partisan.

If the office of mayor becomes vacant, the president of the city council becomes mayor for a five-day period to immediately fill the position. If the president of the city council declines to remain mayor, the city council is authorized to vote to appoint a councilmember to the role of mayor. The councilmember appointed to the position under both scenarios will forfeit their position on the city council until the next election.[18] [19] [20] A mayor-elect can also take office earlier than the official inauguration date (January 1), upon certification of the election results and a decision by the city council to replace the appointed mayor.

A two-thirds majority vote of the city council can remove the mayor from office for a willful violation of duty or an offense involving moral turpitude.[21] [22]

List of mayors

PhotoMayorTook office[23] Left officeElection results and notes[24]
1 align=left Appointed on December 2, 1869. Elected July 11, 1870.
2 align=left Elected July 10, 1871.[25]
3 align=left Elected July 8, 1872.[26] Left office on February 23, 1873, due to alleged embezzlement of funds.[27]
  align=left Appointed to fill position until special election.
4 align=left Won special election on June 5, 1873, to serve the rest of Stone's regular term.
5 align=left Elected on July 14, 1873.[28]
6 align=left Elected July 13, 1874.[29]
7 align=left Elected August 2, 1875.[30]
8 align=left Elected July 10, 1876,[31] and re-elected July 9, 1877.[32]
9 align=left Elected July 8, 1878.[33]
10 align=left Elected July 14, 1879.[34]
11 align=left Elected July 12, 1880.[35]
12 align=left Elected July 10, 1882,[36] and re-elected on July 9, 1883.[37]
13 align=left Elected July 14, 1884.[38]
  align=left Elected July 13, 1885, to a non-consecutive second term.[39]
14 align=left Elected July 12, 1886.[40]
15 align=left Elected July 11, 1887.[41]
16 align=left Elected July 9, 1888,[42] and re-elected July 8, 1889.[43]
17 align=left Elected July 14, 1890, to an abbreviated term under 1890 charter. Resigned on November 30, 1891.[44]
18 align=left Appointed.[45]
19 align=left Elected March 8, 1892.[46]
20 align=left Elected March 12, 1894.[47]
21 align=left Elected March 9, 1896. Resigned after three weeks in office.[48]
22 align=left Appointed to fill unexpired term. Resigned in July 1897 to participate in the Klondike Gold Rush.[49]
23 align=left Elected by City Council to fill unexpired term.[50]
24 align=left Elected March 8, 1904.[51]
25 align=left Elected March 6, 1906.[52]
26 align=left Elected March 3, 1908.[53]
27 align=left Elected March 8, 1910. Recalled in special election held February 9, 1911.[54]
28 align=left Elected February 7, 1911.[55]
29 align=left Elected March 5, 1912.[56]
  align=left Elected March 3, 1914.[57]
30 align=left Elected March 5, 1918. Resigned August 28, 1919, to move to California.[58]
31 align=left Appointed to fill unexpired term.[59]
32 align=left Elected March 2, 1920.[60]
33 align=left Elected May 2, 1922,[61] and re-elected March 4, 1924.[62]
34 align=left Elected March 9, 1926. First female mayor.[63]
35 align=left Elected March 6, 1928,[64] and re-elected March 4, 1930.[65] Recalled in special election held July 13, 1931.[66]
36 align=left Appointed to finish unexpired term.
37 align=left Elected March 8, 1932.[67]
38 align=left Elected March 6, 1934.[68]
  align=left Elected March 3, 1936.[69] Relieved of office on April 13, 1938, due to sickness. Died on April 18, 1938.[70]
  align=left Appointed to fill position until city council decision.
39 align=left Elected March 8, 1938.[71] Appointed as mayor-elect due to relieving (and death) of Mayor Dore. Re-elected May 5, 1940. Resigned January 11, 1941, to become Governor of Washington.[72]
40 align=left Appointed until special election.[73]
41 align=left Elected March 4, 1941, to finish unexpired term.[74]
42 align=left Elected March 3, 1942.[75] Re-elected on March 7, 1944,[76] March 5, 1946, and March 2, 1948.
43 align=left Elected March 4, 1952.[77]
44 align=left Elected March 6, 1956,[78] and re-elected March 8, 1960.[79]
45 align=left Elected March 10, 1964. Resigned to accept appointment as Assistant Secretary of Urban Systems and Environment in the U.S. Department of Transportation.[80]
46 align=left
47 align=left Elected November 4, 1969,[81] and re-elected November 6, 1973.[82] Survived recall attempt on July 1, 1975.[83]
48 align=left Elected November 8, 1977.[84] Re-elected on November 3, 1981,[85] and November 5, 1985.[86]
49 align=left Elected November 7, 1989,[87] and re-elected November 2, 1993.[88] First African-American mayor.
50 align=left Elected November 4, 1997.[89]
51 align=left Elected November 6, 2001,[90] and re-elected November 8, 2005.[91]
52 align=left Elected November 3, 2009.[92]
53 align=left Elected November 5, 2013. Resigned due to sexual abuse allegations.[93] First gay mayor.
54 align=left Appointed through position as City Council President to finish unexpired term,[94] declined to accept appointment and therefore a replacement was selected by City Council.[95] First Asian-American mayor and second African-American mayor.
55 align=left Appointed by Seattle City Council to finish unexpired term.[96]
56 align=left Elected November 7, 2017.
57 Incumbent align=left Elected November 2, 2021.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: November 5, 2013 . Charter of the City of Seattle, Article V: Executive Department . Seattle City Clerk . September 13, 2017.
  2. Web site: Mayors of the City of Seattle . . September 13, 2017.
  3. http://www.seattle.gov/cityarchives/Facts/councilchron.htm Seattle City Council Members, 1869-Present Chronological Listing
  4. News: Michel . Riley . September 12, 2017 . When did other Seattle mayors leave office? . . September 13, 2017.
  5. News: Berger . Knute . Knute Berger . May 10, 2013 . Seattle mayor's office: Hard to hold on to . . September 19, 2017.
  6. News: Anderson . Ross . September 16, 2001 . City's 50 mayors range from leaders to losers . The Seattle Times . September 13, 2017.
  7. Web site: 2022-01-01. Bruce Harrell officially becomes Seattle's new mayor. 2022-01-02. FOX 13 Seattle. en-US.
  8. News: Suffia . David . November 30, 1969 . City Charter 100 Years Old Tuesday . 94 . The Seattle Times.
  9. News: Conover . C. T. . August 21, 1960 . Just Cogitating: Town of Seattle Was Incorporated Late in 1864 . 5 . The Seattle Times.
  10. Web site: Tate . Cassandra . September 8, 2004 . Henry A. Atkins is elected first mayor of the City of Seattle on July 11, 1870. . HistoryLink . November 26, 2009.
  11. Web site: Oldham . Kit . March 5, 2014 . Seattle voters approve new city charter and re-elect Mayor William F. Devin on March 12, 1946. . HistoryLink . September 13, 2017.
  12. News: McDonald . Robert T. . March 12, 1944 . Seattle's Mayors . 35 . The Seattle Times.
  13. Book: October 1, 1890 . Charter of The City of Seattle, Commonly Known as The Freeholders' Charter . 31 . The Northwestern Printing Company . Seattle . 38579564 . Google Books . September 13, 2017.
  14. "Seven Seattleites Seek Mayoralty" (February 24, 1948). Associated Press via The Oregonian, p. 9.
  15. Web site: Online Information Resources - CityClerk seattle.gov.
  16. Web site: December 2003 . Office of the Mayor . City of Seattle Adopted Budget . 559 . City of Seattle . September 13, 2017.
  17. News: Kroman . David . February 13, 2020 . Who is the mayor supposed to tell when she leaves town? Seattle shooting raises question . Crosscut.com . February 24, 2020.
  18. Web site: Charter of the City of Seattle. Article XIX, Sec. 6.. City of Seattle. September 19, 2017. November 5, 2013.
  19. News: Norimine . Hayat . September 12, 2017 . So Murray Is Resigning—What's Next for the City? . . September 13, 2017.
  20. News: Groover . Heidi . September 13, 2017 . Bruce Harrell Is Now the Mayor of Seattle . . September 13, 2017.
  21. News: Norimine . Hayat . July 17, 2017 . The Charter Challenge in Removing Murray . Seattle Met . September 13, 2017.
  22. Web site: The Charter of the City of Seattle, Article V Section 10 . Municode . 4 June 2020.
  23. Seattle Municipal Archives. List of Mayors (1869–1890; 1890–1948; 1948–present). Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  24. Web site: Historical Election Results . Seattle Municipal Archives . September 19, 2017.
  25. David Wilma and Cassandra Tate, Voters elect John T. Jordan as mayor of the City of Seattle on July 10, 1871, HistoryLink, November 8, 2000, expanded August 31, 2004. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  26. David Wilma and Cassandra Tate, Voters elect Corliss P. Stone as mayor of the City of Seattle on July 8, 1872, HistoryLink, November 30, 2000, greatly expanded August 31, 2004. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  27. Note: John T. Jordan appointed as acting mayor (due to Stone's alleged embezzlement and departure to San Francisco February 23, 1873) until a special election could be arranged. Moses R. Maddocks was elected to fill the final two months of Stone's term:Greg Lange and Cassandra Tate, Seattle Mayor Corliss P. Stone embezzles $15,000 and runs on February 23, 1873, HistoryLink, November 4, 1998, expanded August 31, 2004. Accessed online 2009-11-26.
    Maddocks took office June 5, 1873: Seattle Mayors, City of Seattle. Accessed online 2009-11-26.
  28. David Wilma and Cassandra Tate, Voters elect John Collins as mayor of the City of Seattle on July 14, 1873, HistoryLink, November 8, 2000, greatly expanded August 31, 2004. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  29. David Wilma and Cassandra Tate, Voters elect Henry Yesler as mayor of the City of Seattle on July 13, 1874, HistoryLink, December 16, 2000, greatly expanded August 31, 2004. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  30. Lee Micklin, Jewish mayor of Seattle Bailey Gatzert is elected on August 2, 1875, HistoryLink, October 30, 1998. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  31. David Wilma and Cassandra Tate, Voters elect Gideon A. Weed as mayor of the City of Seattle on July 10, 1876, HistoryLink, January 1, 2000, greatly expanded August 31, 2004. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  32. David Wilma and Cassandra Tate, Voters re-elect Gideon A. Weed as mayor of the City of Seattle on July 9, 1877, HistoryLink, November 8, 2000, greatly expanded August 31, 2004. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  33. Cassandra Tate, Voters elect People's Ticket candidate Beriah Brown as mayor of the City of Seattle on July 8, 1878, HistoryLink, November 29, 2000, greatly expanded August 31, 2004. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  34. Cassandra Tate, Voters elect Orange Jacobs as mayor of the City of Seattle on July 14, 1879, HistoryLink, November 8, 2000, greatly expanded August 31, 2004. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  35. HistoryLink Staff, Voters elect Republican Leonard P. Smith as mayor of the City of Seattle on July 12, 1880, HistoryLink, November 29, 2000, corrected August 30, 2004. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  36. Cassandra Tate, Voters elect Henry G. Struve as mayor of the City of Seattle on July 10, 1882, HistoryLink, November 29, 2000, substantially expanded September 2, 2004. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  37. Cassandra Tate, Voters re-elect Henry G. Struve as mayor of the City of Seattle on July 9, 1883, HistoryLink, November 29, 2000, greatly expanded on September 1, 2004. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  38. Cassandra Tate, Voters elect businessman John Leary as mayor of the City of Seattle on July 14, 1884, HistoryLink, September 2, 2004. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  39. Cassandra Tate, Voters elect Henry Yesler to a second term as mayor of the City of Seattle on July 13, 1885, HistoryLink, September 16, 2004. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  40. Cassandra Tate, Voters elect Peoples Party candidate William H. Shoudy as mayor of the City of Seattle on July 12, 1886, HistoryLink, September 9, 2004. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  41. Kit Oldham, Voters elect Dr. Thomas T. Minor as mayor of the City of Seattle on July 11, 1887, HistoryLink, August 13, 2004. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  42. David Wilma, Voters elect businessman Robert Moran as mayor of the City of Seattle on July 9, 1888, HistoryLink. Date unclear: site erroneously says "January 01, 1900". Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  43. Cassandra Tate, Voters re-elect businessman Robert Moran as mayor of the City of Seattle on July 8, 1889, HistoryLink, September 23, 2004. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  44. Cassandra Tate, Voters elect Harry White as mayor of the City of Seattle on July 14, 1890, HistoryLink, September 22, 2004. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  45. Cassandra Tate, City Council appoints George W. Hall as mayor of City of Seattle on December 9, 1891, HistoryLink, September 23, 2004. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  46. Dave Wilma, Voters elect James T. Ronald as Mayor of the City of Seattle on March 8, 1892, HistoryLink, November 16, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  47. David Wilma, Voters elect Byron Phelps as Mayor of the City of Seattle on March 12, 1894, HistoryLink, November 16, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  48. David Wilma, Voters elect Frank D. Black as Mayor of the City of Seattle on March 9, 1896, HistoryLink, November 16, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  49. David Wilma, City Council appoints William D. Wood as Mayor of the City of Seattle on April 6, 1896, HistoryLink, November 16, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  50. David Wilma, City Council appoints Thomas J. Humes as Mayor of the City of Seattle on November 19, 1897, HistoryLink, November 16, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  51. David Wilma, Voters elect Richard A. Ballinger as mayor of the City of Seattle on March 8, 1904, HistoryLinks, November 29, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  52. Dave Wilma, Voters elect William Hickman Moore as mayor of the City of Seattle on March 6, 1906, HistoryLink, November 29, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  53. David Wilma, Voters elect John F. Miller as mayor of the City of Seattle on March 3, 1908, HistoryLink, November 29, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  54. David Wilma, Voters elect Hiram C. Gill as mayor of the City of Seattle on March 8, 1910, HistoryLink, November 27, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  55. Web site: Wilma . David . Voters recall Seattle Mayor Hiram Gill from office on February 7, 1911. . HistoryLink . September 13, 2017.
  56. Dave Wilma, Voters elect George F. Cotterill as mayor of the City of Seattle on March 5, 1912, HistoryLink, November 19, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  57. Dave Wilma, Voters elect Hiram C. Gill as mayor of the City of Seattle on March 3, 1914, HistoryLink, November 19, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  58. David Wilma, Voters elect Ole Hanson as mayor of the City of Seattle on March 5, 1918, HistoryLink, November 16, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  59. David Wilma, Seattle City Council appoints C. B. Fitzgerald as mayor on August 28, 1919, HistoryLink, November 16, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  60. David Wilma, Voters elect Hugh M. Caldwell as mayor of the City of Seattle on March 2, 1920, HistoryLink, November 29, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  61. David Wilma, Voters elect Edwin J. Brown as mayor of the City of Seattle on May 2, 1922, HistoryLink, November 29, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  62. David Wilma, Voters re-elect Edwin J. Brown as mayor of the City of Seattle on March 4, 1924, HistoryLink, November 29, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  63. Alan J. Stein, Bertha Landes is elected mayor of Seattle on March 9, 1926, HistoryLink, March 1, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  64. David Wilma, Voters elect Frank E. Edwards as mayor of the City of Seattle on March 6, 1928, HistoryLink, November 29, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  65. David Wilma, Voters re-elect Frank E. Edwards as mayor of the City of Seattle on March 4, 1930, HistoryLink, November 29, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  66. David Wilma, Voters recall Mayor Frank Edwards from office for firing City Light Superintendent J. D. Ross on July 13, 1931, HistoryLink, September 9, 2001. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  67. David Wilma, Voters elect John F. Dore as mayor of the City of Seattle on March 8, 1932, HistoryLink, November 19, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  68. David Wilma, Voters elect Charles L. Smith as mayor of the City of Seattle on March 6, 1934, HistoryLink, November 27, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  69. David Wilma, Voters return John F. Dore as mayor of the City of Seattle on March 3, 1936, HistoryLink, November 19, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  70. Web site: Wilma . David . October 7, 2000 . Dore, John Francis (1881-1938) . HistoryLink . September 13, 2017.
  71. David Wilma, Voters elect Arthur B. Langlie as mayor of the City of Seattle on March 8, 1938, HistoryLink, November 19, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  72. David Wilma, Voters re-elect Arthur B. Langlie as mayor of the City of Seattle on March 5, 1940, HistoryLink, November 19, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  73. David Wilma, City Council appoints John E. Carroll as mayor of the City of Seattle on January 27, 1941, HistoryLink, November 27, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  74. David Wilma, Voters elect Earl Millikin as mayor of the City of Seattle on March 4, 1941, HistoryLink, November 27, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  75. David Wilma, Voters elect William F. Devin as mayor of the City of Seattle on March 3, 1942, HistoryLink, November 16, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  76. David Wilma, Voters re-elect William F. Devin as mayor of the City of Seattle on March 7, 1944, HistoryLink, November 16, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  77. David Wilma, Voters elect Allan Pomeroy as mayor of the City of Seattle on March 4, 1952, HistoryLink, November 19, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  78. David Wilma, Voters elect Gordon S. Clinton as mayor of the city of Seattle on March 6, 1956, HistoryLink, November 19, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  79. David Wilma, Voters re-elect Gordon S. Clinton as mayor of the City of Seattle on March 8, 1960, HistoryLink, November 19, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  80. David Wilma, Voters elect James d'Orma Braman as mayor of the City of Seattle on March 10, 1964, HistoryLink, November 19, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  81. Alan J. Stein, Voters elect Wes Uhlman as Seattle Mayor on November 4, 1969, HistoryLink, June 9, 1999. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  82. David Wilma, http://www.historylink.org/essays/output.cfm?file_id=2830, HistoryLink, November 19, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  83. David Wilma, Mayor Wes Uhlman survives recall attempt on July 1, 1975, HistoryLink, October 3, 2001. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  84. David Wilma, Voters elect Charles Royer as mayor of the city of Seattle on November 8, 1977, HistoryLink, November 19, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  85. David Wilma, Voters re-elect Charles Royer as mayor of the City of Seattle on November 3, 1981, HistoryLink, November 19, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  86. David Wilma, Voters re-elect Charles Royer as mayor of the city of Seattle on November 5, 1985, HistoryLink, November 19, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  87. Walt Crowley, Rice wins election as Seattle's first African American mayor on November 7, 1989, HistoryLink, January 1, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  88. Mary T. Henry, Rice, Norman B. (b.1943), HistoryLink, September 17, 2007
  89. David Wilma, Voters elect Paul Schell as mayor of the City of Seattle on November 4, 1997, HistoryLink, November 16, 2000. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  90. Walt Crowley, Seattle voters elect Greg Nickels mayor on November 6, 2001, HistoryLink, January 1, 2002. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  91. Kit Oldham, Voters ban indoor smoking, require performance audits, reject dueling malpractice initiatives, and pull the plug on the monorail on November 8, 2005, HistoryLink, February 8, 2006. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  92. Emily Heffter and Jonathan Martin, McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens, Seattle Times, November 9, 2009. Accessed online November 26, 2009.
  93. Jim Brunner, Daniel Beekman and Lewis Kamb, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray resigns after fifth child sex-abuse allegation, Seattle Times, September 12, 2017. Accessed online September 13, 2017.
  94. News: Beekman . Daniel . September 13, 2017 . City Council President Bruce Harrell becomes Seattle's 54th mayor; Ed Murray steps down . The Seattle Times . September 13, 2017.
  95. Travis Pittman, Seattle City Council to vote for acting mayor, King 5 News. September 18, 2017
  96. News: DeMay . Daniel . September 18, 2017 . Seattle council picks Burgess as new interim mayor . . September 18, 2017.