Edward B. Murray became the 53rd Mayor of Seattle on January 1, 2014 after nearly two decades as a civil rights leader in the Washington state Legislature. He is committed to making Seattle a city that is safe, affordable, livable and interconnected for all.
He promptly set course toward that vision by working with business and labor stakeholders to lead Seattle to $15 an hour minimum wage, then the highest minimum wage in the nation.
Murray then brought together a 28-member advisory group to craft the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda, or “HALA” plan, which establishes a roadmap to 50,000 new homes over the next decade, with 20,000 of those affordable for working families, individuals and seniors. As Seattle grows, Murray is committed to ensuring people who work in the city can afford to live here.
He led passage of the largest expansion of bus service in Seattle history; secured a new 9-year “Move Seattle” transportation levy; and established long-term funding for parks and open space through a Seattle Parks District. He created a new Office of Planning and Community Development to better integrate city planning so that all of these investments are coordinated strategically and equitably.
In November 2015, Murray declared a civil state of emergency in response to the city’s growing crisis of homelessness, and worked with the City Council to provide additional outreach and services for people in need of safe places to sleep.
Under his leadership, the Seattle Police Department has instituted new training and disciplinary reforms, beginning its transformation into a national model for 21st Century urban policing. He also launched the city’s “Find it, Fix It” walks that bring together residents and city agencies to address disorder and public safety issues in their neighborhoods.
Murray continues to work to close the opportunity gap for children of color. He led passage of a citywide preschool program for 3 and 4 year olds, and in April 2016, convened a citywide Education Summit – the first in Seattle in more than 25 years. He has expanded the Mayor’s Youth Employment Initiative to provide jobs and internship opportunities, and launched Priority Hire, a program that requires hiring workers from economically-distressed neighborhoods on large public works projects.
He also launched the city’s Equity and Environment Initiative, which engages those from low-income neighborhoods and communities of color so that all can benefit from Seattle’s commitment to the environment and sustainability.
Prior to becoming Mayor of Seattle, Murray represented Seattle’s 43rd Legislative District. Driven by his commitment to social justice and social equity throughout his career, Murray was well known for reaching across party lines to bring meaningful protections and resources to vulnerable populations.
Murray was the prime sponsor of Washington state's historic marriage equality law, as well as the prime sponsor of the 2002 Safe Schools bill protecting sexual minority youth in schools and a landmark bill banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation signed into law in 2006. During his time in the House, he drove legislation that doubled funding for low-income housing.
Murray lives in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood with his partner of more than two decades, Michael Shiosaki.
