<Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> The election of Seattle's Mayor for the 2018--2021 term began with a top - two primary in which ballots were collected from July 12 through August 1, 2017, followed by a general election with ballots to be returned from October 18 through November 7 . Municipal elections are officially nonpartisan though most candidates have declared party affiliations . The election of either of the two candidates on the general election ballot will give Seattle its first female mayor since Bertha Knight Landes was elected in 1926 . </P> <P> Former US Attorney Jenny Durkan and activist Cary Moon won the top - two primary to appear on the general election ballot . The leading candidates had included current and former officeholders Durkan, former State Representative Jessyn Farrell, former Mayor Mike McGinn, and State Senator Bob Hasegawa, all Democrats, and activists Nikkita Oliver and Moon . Fifteen lesser - known candidates were also on the primary ballot . </P> <P> Then - incumbent mayor Ed Murray initially sought re-election, but ended his campaign amid allegations of sexual abuse which led to his resignation in September 2017 . Others named as likely candidates in local media, City Council Members Lorena González and Mike O'Brien, are also not in the race . </P>

Who is running for seattle mayor in 2017