Seattle mayor's legal challenges may hurt challengers too

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray worked with Seattle’s Pothole Rangers Tuesday. But reporters at the event asked him about the prospect of his re-election campaign having to overcome a challenge by former mayor Mike McGinn.

“I look forward to comparing my record to his record. He lost a transit measure. We passed a transit measure. He couldn't get an affordable housing plan. We got an affordable housing plan,” Murray said.

There are nine challengers for mayor so far. There are likely to be more who probably wouldn't have challenged the mayor absent the lawsuit against him.

Local political consultant Crystal Fincher said the mayor’s legal troubles may motivate strong challengers.

“I don't think this has made anyone who wasn't thinking about it before all of a sudden start. But for those who may have been on the fence, it gave them another reason perhaps to consider getting in the race,” she said.

But while Murray may have difficulty keeping the focus on the issues, Fincher says his legal troubles may be a double-edged sword for his challengers.

“With these allegations hanging over the mayor's head, this is going to want to be talked about, it will always be the elephant in the room," she said. "And so it's going to be that much more challenging to discuss the issues.”

Fincher said voters may not want to hear challengers talk directly about the sex abuse allegations, but they may present themselves as someone who can give their full attention to the needs of the city.

Cox Media Group