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This month, Jenny Durkan picked up some high-profile endorsements in her campaign for mayor from Governor Jay Inslee and state Attorney General Bob Ferguson. Today she has an even higher-profile endorsement from former Attorney General Eric Holder. Holder served as AG under President Barack Obama between 2009 and 2015. And, for five years, he worked with Durkan while she served as U.S. Attorney for Western Washington. "Take it from me: Jenny has a progressive vision for Seattle," Holder said in a statement. "She’s been on the front lines fighting for civil rights and making real systemic reforms for decades."

Holder praised Durkan for working on criminal justice reform, including disparities in sentencing and mandatory minimum sentences; for setting up one of the first federal drug courts in the country; and for working to reform the Seattle Police Department, a major plank in her campaign. He also noted that she set up a civil rights office to investigate job and housing discrimination.

"There’s a reason Jenny was one of President Obama’s first appointments: She is smart, tenacious, and committed to public service," Holder said in a statement. "She has a record of advocating for the underdog, fighting for real systemic reforms, and getting things done for her community. I know that’s exactly who she would be as Mayor of Seattle."