Historically Democrat-leaning Seattle made a shocking choice by electing a Republican city attorney who supports police. Ann Davison beat Democrat opponent Nicole Thomas-Kennedy to become Seattle’s first female city attorney. Davison’s victory is especially remarkable considering the city voted to defund the police last year.
The Washington Examiner reports:
“Thank you so much for dedicating part of your life to this campaign,” Davison said to a crowd celebrating her victory. “When we focus on our commonalities that connect us as human beings, we are going to go a long way.”
Thomas-Kennedy said the race had been “unreal” and that regardless of what the early returns might show, she would hold out hope. After the initial results were announced, she did not speak to the media, according to the outlet.
Davison’s victory will mark the first time she will hold public office. She unsuccessfully ran for City Council as a Democrat in 2019. A year later, she ran as a Republican for lieutenant governor but also lost, the outlet reported.
Davison said she ran for city attorney because Seattle needed “professional, nonpartisan leadership” to return civility, livability, and respect to the city.
Davison beat out her Democrat opponent 58% to 41%.