Durkan, Jenny, 1958-

<p>Jenny A. Durkan is the 56th Mayor of Seattle and the first woman to lead the City in nearly a century.</p>

<p>She entered office on November 28, 2017, with the challenge of making Seattle affordable and inclusive for all. She is focused on the housing affordability crisis, helping those experiencing homelessness, providing free college tuition to Seattle’s high school graduates, and pushing reforms and restoring trust in the police department – while also delivering on basic city services. She also is committed to ensuring Seattle continues to lead the innovative economy and create new models for ensuring more security for workers.</p>

<p>Prior to becoming Mayor, Durkan was a civic leader and nationally-recognized attorney. From 2009 to 2014, she served as the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington, becoming the first openly gay U.S. Attorney in our country’s history.</p>

<p><b>RACES</b>
<ul>
<li>11/07/2017 Seattle, WA Mayor Won 55.55% (+12.33%)</li>
<li>08/01/2017 Seattle, WA Mayor - Primary Won 27.92% (+10.29%)</li>
<li>09/29/2009 US Attorney - WA Western District Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
</ul>
</p>

<p><b>SPECULATIVE, DID NOT RUN</b>
<ul>
<li>08/03/2021 Seattle WA Mayor - Primary Lost 0.00% (-34.00%)</li>
</ul>
</p>

<p>Jenny Anne Durkan (born May 19, 1958) is an American attorney, former federal prosecutor, and politician serving as the 56th mayor of Seattle. She is the daughter of Martin Durkan. Durkan is a member of the Democratic Party. After earning her Juris Doctor from University of Washington School of Law in 1985, Durkan began practicing law as a criminal defense lawyer and civil litigator. In October 2009, President Barack Obama appointed her United States Attorney for the Western District of Washington. She held that position until September 2014.</p>

<p>Durkan was elected the 56th mayor of Seattle in 2017, becoming the city's first female mayor since the 1920s and its second openly LGBT elected mayor. She took first place in the nonpartisan August primary and defeated urban planner and political activist Cary Moon in the November general election. She and her partner, Dana Garvey, have two sons.</p>

<p>Durkan has received criticism for her response to the George Floyd protests in Seattle, and her handling of law enforcement in the so-called Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone. In December 2020, Durkan announced that she will not seek reelection after her term as mayor ends.</p>