By Ed Somers
September 14, 2009

Conference of Mayors President Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels conceded in his primary for re-election as mayor August 21. Nickels finished third in a razor-thin primary election held August 18, and thus will not move on to the November general election.

Under the USCM Constitution, Nickels will remain President while he is in office. And, under the USCM Constitution, Vice President Burnsville (MN) Mayor Elizabeth Kautz will automatically assume the USCM Presidency on the day that Nickels leaves office on January 1, 2010. Kautz will preside over the 78th Winter Meeting in January and complete Nickel’s term until the Annual Conference of Mayors in Oklahoma City in June 2010.

In a memo to mayors following the election, USCM CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran said, “I know you will all want to express your appreciation to Mayor Nickels for his tremendous service to our organization, our nation, and the world on the priority of climate protection. Mayor Nickels founded the climate protection movement within the Conference of Mayors that will benefit generations to come, and under his continued leadership we will work with the Obama Administration and the Congress to pass comprehensive climate protection legislation this year that includes dedicated funding for our Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant!”

Cochran added, “We are most fortunate to have a strong leader like Mayor Kautz ready to move us forward, as well as our Second Vice President Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa.”

Following is the statement released by Nickels on the election results, and his continued commitment to Seattle:

When I became mayor in 2002, I decided I would conduct myself in office a certain way. I determined that I would rather be an effective mayor and get things done rather than a popular politician who left nothing more significant than footprints in the sand; that I would make right decisions for the future of the city rather than ones that would preserve my personal popularity.

Based on Tuesday’s Primary Election results I have succeeded beyond my wildest dreams!

This morning I called Mike McGinn and Joe Mallahan and congratulated them on advancing to the November 3rd General Election. One of them will be Seattle’s next mayor and I wished them both well. When the election is past and the voters make their decision known, I will work with the new mayor-elect to ensure a smooth and positive transition.

Serving as mayor of this fine city has been the greatest honor of my public life and I humbly thank the voters for bestowing that honor in 2001 and again in 2005. Having made wise decisions in both those instances I am in no position to second-guess their decision on Tuesday.

I am proud of the many accomplishments of the last eight years and deeply grateful to the many fine employees of the city of Seattle who have done the hard work to make them happen. I believe that when the history of this decade is written, it will be seen as a time of tremendous, positive change in our city.

Together, we built and opened our first light rail line, after decades of debate and dithering. We began construction of a second, and successfully passed a ballot proposition to extend the system North, South and East. We built a modern streetcar line in 18 months from groundbreaking to opening service and now have funding for a second line.

Working with the Governor, King County, civic groups, labor unions and others, we achieved a breakthrough agreement on replacing the dangerous elevated highway on our waterfront. This was an eight-year process and a decision that had to be made. As we saw with light rail, leadership means moving forward. We reap tremendous benefits when we come together for a common purpose, such as reclaiming our waterfront and creating great public space.

Together, we built sidewalks, bike trails, fire stations, libraries and parks. We created a sense of race and social justice and led the nation in protecting our climate from greenhouse gas emissions. We created vibrant, dynamic, 24/7 communities where people live in proximity to work and each other. We housed those in need, and worked to make sure kids can grow up without falling victim to street violence.

In short, we have made a difference each and every day. And that’s the goal that guided my every decision.

In the end, this job was all about people. Where they live. How they get to work. Their hopes for the future, and the community they want to build around them. I have been inspired by so many of our residents – the world-renowned scientist curing disease just a few blocks from the Space Needle; the Rainier Beach teenager working her first summer job; commuters who discover they can get around without having to get in their automobile; the union apprentice learning new skills for a green economy.

The Seattle of today is stronger, better, and kinder than the Seattle of yesterday. We are well poised to bring a future of renewed prosperity. Our house is in good order. Those running for office must make a case that they are the best person, but they should not denigrate what we’ve done. We are not a broken city. Far from it. The challenges we face are the challenges of success. Across the nation, other cities are envious of our economic strength, our fiscal discipline, our public safety, and our commitment to the most vulnerable. Do not distort the true picture of Seattle. We are an amazing place, in an amazing time.

I want to thank the many people who volunteered on my campaign and worked so hard these last few months. My family and I are grateful for your dedication and your enthusiasm. And I want to thank all those who voted – no matter whom you picked – for participating in our democracy. It’s what keeps our city and our country strong. I want to thank my family for putting up with the inconveniences and the difficulties that such a public life necessitates and imposes on our privacy and our time together. I want to thank the wonderful staff of the mayor’s office and my cabinet for their excellent service to the people of Seattle.

I have 131 days left in my tenure as mayor and I pledge to the people of Seattle that I will work as hard each day as I have the last 2,800 to create a bright and prosperous future for the people of this city. I thank them for the honor of being able to serve and ask God to bless our home, Seattle.