By Jean Godden

Ed Murray, one of the city's most accomplished mayors, resigned last week. He came to that decision for some of the right reasons: First that Seattle needs a mayor who can lead in difficult times; second that multiple allegations were affecting his ability to move this city forward.

Murray's decision to leave saddens me. I am heavy hearted even though I know that resigning his office was the right thing to do. Murray was weighted down by allegations from five men who say that Murray sexually abused them when they were teens in the 1970s and 80s. 

Looking at the matter honestly, we have no real way to judge the truth of these statements. We have the word of those five men, made decades later. We have the word of the mayor who says there is absolutely no truth to these accusations. 

What we are left with is lingering, troubling doubt. 

I hope we are also left with sympathy for the mayor's accusers. There should be no room for victim blaming, for outright dismissal of sexual abuse claims. Making such claims is never easy; coming forward often means having to relive pain and suffer disbelief. 

It is important to recognize that the various allegations have been vetted by Seattle Times reporters who have a record of professional credibility. It is to the credit of the Times that these skilled reporters were given the luxury of time and resources to bring accounts to the public. That has been a valuable service.

Nevertheless, no matter what one concludes from the shadows and murk surrounding the claims, I believe that we, as citizens, owe an immense debt to Ed Murray. We are indebted for all that he was able to do for this state, for this city and for causes about which we care deeply.

As a veteran state legislator, he worked tirelessly and successfully to oppose homophobia. He was able to steer legislation through the State Legislature expanding LGBTQ rights. He added "sexual orientation" to existing prohibitions on discrimination in housing, employment and lending. He brought us same-sex domestic partnerships and ensured equal benefits for those relationships. Capping that was a same-sex marriage law that passed statewide in 2012. Murray's 19-year legislative record was nothing short of phenomenal.

When he ran for mayor of Seattle against an incumbent, I endorsed Ed Murray. I was the fifth sitting councilmember to do so, giving him the backing of a Council majority.  It was affirming to see Murray's success with the voters and an honor to serve with him for the final two years of my time at City Hall.

In those two years, he did an incredible job for the city. He first led passage of the $15 minimum wage. Although others deserve some credit, it was Ed Murray who personally pushed the 24 members of his advisory committee to come up with the compromise that passed the council and gave the city leadership of one of the most important issues of the day. 

If that were his only accomplishment, it would have been enough. But Mayor Murray also worked along with Councilmember Tim Burgess to pass the ballot measure that is providing free pre-school to poor children. Murray labored hard on transportation measures, including increased transit service. He backed the Metropolitan Parks District and the city's paid parental leave program, a pattern for other cities.

His grand bargain with developers and labor leaders to create more affordable housing, the so-called HALA initiative, was a major breakthrough. He declared a homeless emergency and found funds to alleviate conditions. He backed authorized tent cities and began a much-needed process to assess human service expenditures. He declared Seattle a sanctuary city and worked on behalf of immigrants and refugees.

It is impossible not to have great admiration for Ed Murray's accomplishments in the mayor's office. No matter the outcome of allegations against Murray, it would be a shame not to recognize that he did much for the city and its citizens. Politics is an unforgiving institution: fast to sanction, slow to give credit where due. Seattle is the richer for Mayor Murray's years. It would wrong not to acknowledge our debt.