Mayor Jenny Durkan will not run for reelection

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan has announced that she’s not seeking reelection for a second term.

“I could spend the next year campaigning to keep this job, or focus all of my energy on doing the job,” Durkan said in a video announcement about her plans. “There was only one right choice for our city: doing the job. I’ve decided not to run for reelection because Seattle, we still have some tough months ahead.”

Here’s her announcement in full below.

Durkan added that she plans to spend her final year in office working on vaccine distribution, establishing a reopening plan, and “continue reimagining public safety.”

While mayoral candidates can file to raise money now to run in 2021, they have until May to commit to a formal campaign.

Photo: Jenny Durkan on Facebook