Mike McGinn was born on Long Island, New York in 1959. Soon after graduating from Williams College in 1982 with a B.A. in Economics, McGinn worked for U.S. Congressman Jim Weaver (OR) as a legislative aid. In 1992, McGinn graduated from the University of Washington Law School and began a career with the Seattle firm Stokes Lawrence. His volunteer work included leadership positions in the Greenwood Community Council and the local chapter of the Sierra Club. In 2006, McGinn founded the Seattle Great City Initiative, a nonprofit environmental and urban development advocacy group.

McGinn was elected mayor in November 2009. Major issues faced during his tenure include the proposed Alaskan Way Viaduct tunnel, homelessness, public safety, and public transit. McGinn served one term before being defeated by Ed Murray in the 2013 general election.