Politics Northwest
March 25, 2009 11:30 AM
Ex-Sonic James Donaldson in for Seattle mayor
Posted by Emily Heffter

MARK HARRISON / THE SEATTLE TIMES
James Donaldson
James Donaldson, a former Seattle Sonic and owner of a physical therapy clinic in Mill Creek, says he is running for Seattle mayor.
Donaldson will make his official announcement tomorrow, he said, and expects to send out a news release this afternoon.
In political circles, Donaldson has been accused of being wishy washy.
He filed first for City Council, then went back and forth for weeks over his decision to run for mayor. That's made it difficult for him to raise money and tough to get solid support.
He even had to switch political consultants midstream because his original consultant, Christian Sinderman, does work for Mayor Greg Nickels.
Today Donaldson said that was all part of his plan.
"It's all been focused and certainty, and it's all been strategically planned by my campaign team," he said. His announcement will "help folks decide," he said: "People can see that I'm committed and I'm serious."
Donaldson joins Michael McGinn, who announced yesterday he is challenging the mayor, and political newcomer Norman Sigler.
Others considering entering the race are Duke Moscrip, who owns the Duke's restaurant chain and former City Councilmember Peter Steinbrueck. Dan Savage, editor of The Stranger, says he will run, but if elected, will resign within 24 hours. He described himself to Dave Ross on KIRO radio as " a safe lunatic to vote for."

general classifieds
Garage & estate salesFurniture & home furnishings
Sporting goods
just listed
60" Toshiba Television - $400
An elegant and stately Brickwede orignal corner ca - $499
Antique chair original horsehair stuffed Excellent - $225
More listings
POST A FREE LISTING
shopping
events for Tuesday, Feb. 9
- Share Beauty and Hope at Julep
- February Specials at Mimisan
- Valentine's Offer at Eat Local
- "Give Love, Get Love" Benefit at Clementine
editors' picks
- West Seattle shopping
- Independent video stores
- Vintage, consignment and used clothing
- Garden furnishings

- Steve Kelley | My treatment of Bedard has been unfair
- Is Washington's tax exemption on bullion a gold mine?
- 747-8 soars smoothly on first outing
- Super Bowl ads: Betty White, Bud Light, big laughs
- Man found shot dead in pickup truck in Seattle
- Sex, drug rumors swirl about N.Y. Gov. Paterson
- Lewis-McChord soldier charged with abusing 4-year-old over alphabet lesson
- Seattle is first U.S. stop for Picasso exhibit
- Alaska Air dropping Jones Soda beverages, going back to Coca-Cola
- Body found in landing gear of NY-to-Tokyo flight
- Republicans may be no-shows at health-plan summit
273 - Obama: GOP and Dems together can spur job growth
201 - Fort Lewis soldier charged with abusing 4-year-old, holding her head in water
192 - Pac-10 expansion to get consideration over next year
182 - State Senate votes to clear way for tax increases
161 - Rivals names Martin one of Pac-10's best recruiters
143 - Belltown boulevard could be completed by early next year
124 - Lee undergoes foot surgery
117 - Tobacco ban in Seattle parks affirms citizen right to breathe smoke-free air
71 - Alaska Air dropping Jones Soda, going back to Coca-Cola
64
- Seattle is first U.S. stop for Picasso exhibit
- 747-8 soars smoothly on first outing
- City, Vulcan push higher South Lake Union height limits
- Commentary: Microsoft's creative destruction
- Snap out of your photo funk: How to make sense of all those piles of images
- Wine Adviser | Oregon's quality pinots join the bargain ranks
- Belltown boulevard could be completed by early next year
- All You Can Eat | Portage chef Vuong Loc takes Cremant space in Madrona
- Jerry Large | Learning not to copy China
- Rigorous college-prep classes skyrocketing in Washington state

May
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
| 1 | 2 | |||||
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| 31 |
Andrew Garber
Covers politics and state government from Olympia.
Jennifer Sullivan
Covers the state Legislature from Olympia.
Chantal Anderson
Covers the state Legislature from Olympia.
Emily Heffter
Writes about the city of Seattle and local politics.
Mike Lindblom
Covers transportation.
Jim Brunner
Writes about money and power from Seattle.


