Seattle may soon have a new mayor.
State Sen. Ed Murray carried 56 percent of the vote in the first round of ballot counting Tuesday night, building a lead over incumbent Mayor Mike McGinn. Because Washington state votes entirely by mail, many ballots were not counted Tuesday.
The two candidates have embraced similar policy proposals, including a $15 minimum wage, new taxes and legal marijuana. The campaign largely centered on a difference in style, with Murray seeking a more collaborative way of governing and McGinn saying that a leader can't appease everybody when pushing major policy changes.
Murray's message helped him build a broad coalition of backers, including substantial endorsements and financial support.
Murray was the architect of the state's gay marriage law.