What happens if the Mayor resigns or is impeached?

In the past week there have been multiple calls for Mayor Jenny Durkan to resign, which in some ways is nothing new since she has had her share of detractors ever since she took office. But this morning three Council members (Sawant, Morales and Mosqueda) joined the chorus, suggesting she resign over her handling of the protests in the city over the past week. Sawant went one step further, saying that if Durkan did not resign she would introduce articles of impeachment. Durkan has responded by saying that she has no intention of resigning and that she refuses to be …

Continue reading

Mayor Murray has resigned

Mayor Ed Murray just announced that he is resigning, effective 5pm tomorrow. Council President Bruce Harrell will become acting Mayor, and has five days to decide whether to fill out the remainder of Murray’s term, which ends December 31st. Harrell’s decision is complicated. Here’s my previous post on why. More to come as events unravel.

Continue reading

Council, Mayor continue to discuss resignation and “transition”

A week ago, Council member Lorena Gonzalez called on Mayor Ed Murray to step down in light of revelations of an Oregon CPS file in which a case worker found the sexual abuse charges against Murray to be credible. She later clarified her original statement, saying that the situation is unprecedented and she wants to make sure that the Council understands the procedures and protocols for continuity of government no matter what happens. Last Friday, the Mayor responded to Gonzalez and her colleagues.

Continue reading