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McGinn Opens Campaign Office in SE Seattle

News   September 17, 2009 at 1:59 pm Erica C. Barnett

Mayoral candidate Mike McGinn announced today that he’s opening a campaign office in Southeast Seattle, at 6951 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Suite 223.

The announcement comes two days after McGinn held a press conference at the Columbia City light rail station to announce plans to expand light rail within two years, and three days after his campaign made an embarrassing gaffe in a press release, referring to Martin Luther King Jr. Way as “Empire Way.” (The name was changed in 1983.)  McGinn and his opponent Joe Mallahan, who live in Greenwood and Wallingford, respectfully, have been accused of being out of touch with Southeast Seattle, where Mayor Greg Nickels won overwhelmingly.

McGinn says the decision to open the MLK office had nothing to do with the criticisms or the press release flap. “We’ve been looking for space since before this weekend,” McGinn says. “We’ve got the north end headquarters [at 40th and Aurora], and this will be the south end headquarters. … We want to be able to effectively do outreach to people in Southeast Seattle and be open and accessible to them.”

Mallahan has one campaign office in the Eastlake neighborhood.


  • Shawna B

    Comin’ down here to tell us to put rims on our bicycles no doubt.

  • Shawna B

    Comin’ down here to tell us to put rims on our bicycles no doubt.

  • Louis

    Ok, that does it.

    “…We want to be able to effectively do outreach to people in Southeast Seattle and be open and accessible to them.”

    What about SOUTH Seattle. Does McGinn not realize there is more to this area than the South East area?

  • Louis

    Ok, that does it.

    “…We want to be able to effectively do outreach to people in Southeast Seattle and be open and accessible to them.”

    What about SOUTH Seattle. Does McGinn not realize there is more to this area than the South East area?

  • Christi S.

    @Louis

    Hey, now — McGinn supports the South Seattle Bridge.

    Joe does not.

    McGinn has been at a whole bunch of events in communities. Crank it Up at Cesar Chavez and many more.

  • Christi S.

    @Louis

    Hey, now — McGinn supports the South Seattle Bridge.

    Joe does not.

    McGinn has been at a whole bunch of events in communities. Crank it Up at Cesar Chavez and many more.

  • tpn

    @3: Couldn’t find anything to verify that Mallahan wants the SP bridge shut down. Got a reference?

    Many events in South Seattle? Can you name others besides his high profile showing at Crank It Up? There are events around those parts and in Georgetown every week during the summer, and McGinn doesn’t show up at those.

    If Cloverdale was renamed Cesar Chavez Way, would Mike remember that?

  • tpn

    @3: Couldn’t find anything to verify that Mallahan wants the SP bridge shut down. Got a reference?

    Many events in South Seattle? Can you name others besides his high profile showing at Crank It Up? There are events around those parts and in Georgetown every week during the summer, and McGinn doesn’t show up at those.

    If Cloverdale was renamed Cesar Chavez Way, would Mike remember that?

  • http://gomezticator.livejournal.com/ Gomez

    “McGinn says the decision to open the MLK office had nothing to do with the criticisms or the press release flap.”

    Right, Mike. Okay. Sure. Call me when you build that Link station near my apartment, kthxbye

  • http://gomezticator.livejournal.com Gomez

    “McGinn says the decision to open the MLK office had nothing to do with the criticisms or the press release flap.”

    Right, Mike. Okay. Sure. Call me when you build that Link station near my apartment, kthxbye

  • http://manywordsforrain.blogspot.com/ Mr. Baker

    Did the press release say “Garlic Gultch”?

  • http://manywordsforrain.blogspot.com/ Mr. Baker

    Did the press release say “Garlic Gultch”?

  • Emerald

    @4 — what’s Joe done? I know even voting is a bit of a chore for him. Attending anything that involves getting out of a car is a bit too much to ask, too, right?

    See ya at the Squid and Ink, Mr. Georgetown.

  • Emerald

    @4 — what’s Joe done? I know even voting is a bit of a chore for him. Attending anything that involves getting out of a car is a bit too much to ask, too, right?

    See ya at the Squid and Ink, Mr. Georgetown.

  • jeff

    @4

    I have volunteered for McGinn at a parade in Columbia City and a festival along the Duwamish before the primary. Since the primary McGinn was at a back to school event at Rainier Beach and a community festival in Mount Baker. This Saturday he is holding town halls in Columbia City and Mount Baker.

  • jeff

    @4

    I have volunteered for McGinn at a parade in Columbia City and a festival along the Duwamish before the primary. Since the primary McGinn was at a back to school event at Rainier Beach and a community festival in Mount Baker. This Saturday he is holding town halls in Columbia City and Mount Baker.

  • Christi S.

    @4 Joe did not include a letter of support in King County’s application for TIGER funds, even though he was asked to. I bet ECB could get you confirmation from KCE faster than you can say “holy shit.”

  • Christi S.

    @4 Joe did not include a letter of support in King County’s application for TIGER funds, even though he was asked to. I bet ECB could get you confirmation from KCE faster than you can say “holy shit.”

  • tikunolum

    @5 How long do you figure it takes to find a secure a lease, staff it, stock it and arrange for opening? Think about it for a minute.

    And, you are seriously underestimating ANY candidate for ANY office if you think they pick up their 150 page field manual and strategic plan and toss it in the recyling bin because of a minor google maps type.

  • tikunolum

    @5 How long do you figure it takes to find a secure a lease, staff it, stock it and arrange for opening? Think about it for a minute.

    And, you are seriously underestimating ANY candidate for ANY office if you think they pick up their 150 page field manual and strategic plan and toss it in the recyling bin because of a minor google maps type.

  • ZinnaManna

    @8 Also, there was a March for Youth march and rally. Set up by Denise, whose son John was killed. McGinn was there and marched with Forch. Joe was no-show. There were some great pictures on Rainier Valley Post and West Seattle Blog.

  • ZinnaManna

    @8 Also, there was a March for Youth march and rally. Set up by Denise, whose son John was killed. McGinn was there and marched with Forch. Joe was no-show. There were some great pictures on Rainier Valley Post and West Seattle Blog.

  • tpn

    @7: still no answer on McGinn’s opponent re: non support of the South Park bridge. But replacing a bridge–isn’ that violating McGinn’s party line of “all cars are evil”?

    Squid and what?

  • tpn

    @7: still no answer on McGinn’s opponent re: non support of the South Park bridge. But replacing a bridge–isn’ that violating McGinn’s party line of “all cars are evil”?

    Squid and what?

  • 46th district democrats

    Late breaking news:

    dual endorsement for McGinn and Mallahan

    Sole endorsement for Pete Holmes

  • 46th district democrats

    Late breaking news:

    dual endorsement for McGinn and Mallahan

    Sole endorsement for Pete Holmes

  • CC Meye

    What is the “south seattle bridge?”

  • CC Meye

    What is the “south seattle bridge?”

  • Christi S.

    The South Park Bridge. Badly in need of money to fix. Cuts off many residents, businesses and freight mobility if it’s not fixed. Some people call it the South Seattle Bridge. Others call it the 14th Street Bridge, but the official name is South Park Bridge. Goes over the Duwamish near Boeing Field.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Park_Bridge_(Seattle)

  • Christi S.

    The South Park Bridge. Badly in need of money to fix. Cuts off many residents, businesses and freight mobility if it’s not fixed. Some people call it the South Seattle Bridge. Others call it the 14th Street Bridge, but the official name is South Park Bridge. Goes over the Duwamish near Boeing Field.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Park_Bridge_(Seattle)