But close aides including Byers believe Schell will run again. He was feeling like he was getting the knack of council relations and developing a thicker skin with the press. Schell also seems to have emerged with much of his core support intact. The WTO is one piece out of a lot of stuff he has dealt with us about. Bob Watt, president and CEO of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, said a third of business leaders are angry, another third support the mayor, and the remaining third are willing to wait for more facts.
Potential challengers know that even a wounded incumbent has a distinct advantage in raising money.
That's scared off at least one challenger. Speakers at the council's WTO hearings urged Councilman Nick Licata to run. Chong served one term on the council before losing the 1997 mayoral race to Schell. He lost his bid to return to the council last month. No one has announced their intentions, but the list of possible candidates includes King County Councilman Greg Nickels, City Council members Peter Steinbrueck and Jan Drago, recently retired Councilwomen Tina Podlodowski and Martha Choe, and City Attorney Mark Sidran.