SEATTLE (AP) — The idea of a $15 minimum wage continues to build momentum in the Seattle area, with Mayor Mike McGinn saying he would support an effort to set the standard even higher.

In an interview with The Associated Press, McGinn said he thought $15 was a “fair starting point” for the minimum wage discussion. He cautioned that the issue was best handled legislatively and that the actual number would be determined by city councilmembers.

“If the council proposed a higher number, I’d support that,” said McGinn, who is seeking re-election next month.

He added later: “I would expect that, if re-elected, we would put together a coalition to figure out how far we could go on the minimum wage.”

McGinn challenger Ed Murray recently announced that he would push for a $15 minimum wage but planned to proceed with a phased-in approach. Washington already has the nation’s highest state minimum wage at $9.19 an hour, while San Francisco is the local jurisdiction with the highest hourly standard at $10.55.

The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, and advocates have been pressing nationwide to push the number higher.

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