The Civic Alliance for a Sound Economy (CASE), a political organization sponsored by the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce has released its endorsements for the upcoming mayoral, King County Executive, and Seattle City Council races.
CASE is throwing its weight behind former U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan for Mayor. The organization supports Fremont Brewing owner Sara Nelson for City Council seat 8 and incumbent Lorena González for seat 9. For King County Executive, CASE supports Dow Constantine, who is running for re-election.
“After careful consideration and a thorough interview process, we are confident that these candidates will be partners in our shared commitment to create an affordable, livable, and safe city and region,” Markham McIntyre, executive director of CASE, said in a press release.
Local businesses comprise CASE, which made its selection based on four key issues: transportation, homelessness, job and local business growth, and preserving Seattle values during this period of change.
CASE’s endorsement of Durkan could help give her an edge in a highly unusual and crowded race. Twenty-one candidates have thrown their hats in the ring for Seattle mayor and a clear frontrunner has yet to emerge. Durkan and former Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn are considered more likely than some of the other candidates to secure a victory but the race is still anyone’s game.
The Seattle Metro Chamber represents many of the technology businesses that are fueling Seattle’s growth through job creation and real estate development. Whoever wins the mayoral race will be tasked with balancing the needs of the city’s booming business community and longtime residence grappling with rapid change.
