On November 8, 1977, voters elected Charles Royer (b. 1939) as the 48th mayor of the City of Seattle. Royer, a native of Oregon, was widely known as a former reporter and commentator with Seattle's KING-5 television news.

Royer easily defeated the largely symbolic candidacy of City Council member Sam Smith in 1981 and a more serious challenge from Council Member Norm Rice to win a third term in 1985. Rice succeeded Royer in 1990, and Paul Schell won the mayor's office in 1997 -- with the support of his former opponent. Royer's twelve years is longest tenure of any Seattle mayor.