Greg Nickels was Mayor of Seattle from 2002-2009. He lost his re-election bid for mayor in the 2009 Democratic primary. Nickels was a popular mayor for the better part of his two terms, making substantial strides in promotion of environmental conservation, public safety, and public transportation. His defeat came as a surprise; It was widely speculated that his sinking approval ratings leading up to the election were the result of poor handling of the city during an exceptionally snowy winter, and the loss of the Seattle SuperSonics.

Nickels was elected to the King County City Council in 1987, and from 1988-2001, until he was elected Mayor of Seattle.