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Lorena González concedes Seattle mayor's race; Bruce Harrell wins

Lorena Gonzalez greets supporters Tuesday at her election night gathering at hill City Tap House in Columbia City.
Ted S. Warren
/
The Associated Press
Lorena González greets supporters Tuesday at her election night gathering at hill City Tap House in Columbia City.

Seattle City Council President Lorena González has conceded the mayor’s race, after an updated vote tallyon Thursday showed former Council President Bruce Harrell with an insurmountable lead.

In a statement, González said she had called Harrell to congratulate him and wish him luck.

"After nearly 300 days of campaigning, I am looking forward to resting, finishing my sixth year of service on the City Council and writing the next chapter of my public service," she added.

The 63-year-old Harrell, who grew up in a redlined Seattle neighborhood, was elected with strong support from the business community. He will be the city’s first Asian American and second Black mayor.

González is one of three candidates — along with city attorney hopeful Nicole Thomas-Kennedy and City Council candidate Nikkita Oliver — who stumbled in the election after endorsing left-leaning prescriptions for addressing homelessness, policing and public safety.

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