Tribune
EVERETT — Former Councilman Scott Murphy announced he’s launched a campaign to unseat incumbent Cassie Franklin in 2025.
Murphy asserts Franklin has failed to improve Everett during her six years of office.
“Public safety, homelessness and crime remain huge problems and the city’s finances are a mess,” Murphy said in his announcement.
Murphy, who has a reputation of being a fiscal hawk and advocate for transparency, was appointed to the City Council in 2013 and continued until 2021. He opted not to run for re-election when geographic districts were implemented because he would have been one of three sitting council members muscling each other for a single district council seat. Instead, he ran for Port Commissioner but lost to incumbent David Simpson.
Most recently, Murphy was vocal against the levy lid lift measure Franklin sought as a way to stave off budget deficits. Murphy implored council members — almost all he sat on council with — to cut back city spending before approaching the public to increase their own taxes.
Franklin said in prepared remarks from her campaign that “as mayor of the largest city north of Seattle on the Interstate 5 corridor and a city that is growing rapidly, my focus will continue to be on the important work of running the city, efficiently and effectively, working in partnership with our current city council members and city leaders.”
She called the announcement as “politics” that won’t distract from her city duties.
Franklin was on council prior to beating Judy Tuohy in a tight race to succeed Ray Stephanson as mayor in 2017.
Former Everett Council member Brenda Stonecipher, one of Murphy’s endorsers, said he understands the city budget and more.
“Every city needs the right kind of leadership at the right time. I have a high regard for Scott and I believe he is the Mayor that Everett needs now,” Stonecipher said in Murphy’s announcement.
Although the mayor’s position is nonpartisan, both candidates are Democrats.
