Jessyn Farrell, who came in 4th in primary, endorses Bruce Harrell for Seattle mayor

Jessyn Farrell, the former state lawmaker who ranked fourth in the Seattle mayor’s primary this month, has confirmed Bruce Harrell as mayor.

Farrell is the first major former candidate to be supported in the general election.

Harrell, a former city council president, won the primary with 34% of the vote and will run against current city council president M. Lorena González, who received 32% of the primary vote, in the November 2nd general election.

Referring specifically to gun violence and homelessness, Farrell said Harrell was “the candidate who shares my passion and approach to these and other issues, with a commitment to action and results based on justice.”

Farrell said she reached out to both candidates after the primary, but cited Harrell’s gun violence prevention records as a deciding factor.

“I was impressed by Bruce’s deep commitment to combating the recent surge in gun violence, especially as it affects young people and communities of color,” said Farrell. “His early call for cabinet-level coordination, increased support for victims and families, and investment in youth welfare will make a real difference.”

Farrell was fourth with 7% of the vote, followed by Harrell, González, and Colleen Echohawk who received 10% of the vote. The final results were confirmed on Tuesday. In the final results of the Seattle City Attorney’s race, Nicole Thomas-Kennedy advanced with 36% of the general election, Ann Davison also advanced with 32%, and incumbent Pete Holmes was eliminated with 30%.

Harrell and Farrell were the top two candidates in support of the corporate-sponsored amendment to Compassion Seattle’s charter. The proposal would amend the city’s founding document to spend 12% of the city’s general fund on homelessness and human services, and then possibly give the next mayor reasons to move camps to keep parks and sidewalks free.

Harrell is largely backed by the business community – a PAC funded primarily by real estate managers spent $ 200,000 strengthening him in elementary school – while González has largely the support of organized labor – a union-funded PAC gave more than 430,000 US dollars on their behalf from primary.

González is supported by notable progressive figures, including US Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and US Representative Pramila Jayapal, who represents most of Seattle. Harrell is backed by more moderate Democrats, including US MPs Adam Smith and Marilyn Strickland, and former Governor Gary Locke.

Since the primary, Harrell has also had the support of council members Debora Juarez and Alex Pedersen, as well as former Seattle mayor Charlie Royer.

González is supported by councilors Lisa Herbold, Andrew Lewis, Tammy Morales and Teresa Mosqueda.

EMILY’s List, the national organization that supports democratic women, endorsed González on Tuesday.

Councilor Kshama Sawant has yet to endorse one candidate, while Councilor Dan Strauss has supported Farrell in the primaries but not yet in the general election.

Author Jim Brunner contributed to this report.