Poll Shows Nickels Leading In Seattle Mayor Race

A poll released two weeks before the Aug. 18 primary election shows Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels has a lead in his bid for election to a third term.

The Washington Poll of 600 likely Seattle voters showed Nickels ahead of challenger Joe Mallahan, widely considered the best-financed challenger.

In the new poll, Nickels has 23 percent support; Mallahan has 11 percent. Former Sonics star James Donaldson has 10 percent. Jan Drago and Mike McGinn are tied with 9 percent support.

The top two vote-getters in the Aug. 18 primary will face off in November.

Thirty-nine percent of the people surveyed approve of the job Nickels is doing but 48 percent somewhat or strongly disapprove.

The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percent.