The line wrapped around the block of Elliott Bay Book Company Tuesday as people waited to meet Hillary Clinton during her book tour stop in Seattle.
Clinton, the first female presidential candidate nominated by a major party, won the popular vote in Washington state during the election last year.
In the wake of her unexpected loss to Donald Trump, she took to writing her memoir, "What Happened."
During her talk at the Paramount Theater Monday – sold out, with standing room only – she reflected on what she believes stopped her from becoming the first woman president. Many things not in her favor, she says, including FBI inference, uninspired voters, but most notably sexism.
"These days when people say to me, 'How are you?' I say, 'Well, as a person, I'm OK. As an American, I'm really concerned,'” she said.
"The only way we will get sexism out of politics is to get more women into politics."
She saluted Washington – a standout state for women with political clout – as a nationwide leader in that effort.
Some say the defeat of Hillary Clinton has partially led to a revolution in how society is reacting to sexual harassment. Her visit to Seattle comes during a week that sexual misconduct allegations have been made against politicians.
Sexual misconduct accusers have resurfaced with claims against President Donald Trump. More than a dozen women came forward during last year's campaign, many in the wake of the "Access Hollywood" tape in which Trump is heard bragging about committing sexual harassment.
With the rise of the #MeToo movement, the women are speaking out again.
"It was heartbreaking last year,” said Samantha Holvey, a former beauty queen who claimed that Trump ogled her and other Miss USA pageant contestants in their dressing room in 2006.
‘We're private citizens and for us to put ourselves out there to try and show America who this man is and how he views women, and for them to say, 'Eh, we don't care,' it hurt."
Trump has denied the claims. Press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders has promised that the White House would provide a list of eyewitnesses and evidence to exonerate Trump.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., who holds Clinton's former seat, called for Trump's resignation amid the sexual misconduct accusations.Gillibrand also commented last month that Bill Clinton should have resigned during the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
The president tweeted an attack on Gillibrand Tuesday that many Democrats called sexist and suggestive.
Clinton’s book signing also coincides with election day for the contested senate race in Alabama between Democrat Doug Jones and Republican Roy Moore, who received President Trump's endorsement.
Moore is accused of sexual misconduct with teen girls when he was in his 30s.
KIRO 7 News asked Senator Maria Cantwell if she would move to have Moore, a former judge, expelled or censured if he were to be elected.
“I don't support Roy Moore and I'm very, very bothered by the activities that have been reported by people, and we would do whatever we could to address that,” she said.
Last week, Democrats including Cantwell and Sen. Patty Murray pushed Sen. Al Franken to resign.
Related coverage to #MeToo
- #MeToo increases calls to King County Sexual Assault Resource Center
- Before Alyssa Milano, #MeToo began with activist Tarana Burke 10 years ago
- Hope Solo says ex-FIFA president Sepp Blatter sexually assaulted her
- 'Me too': Alyssa Milano calls on women to share sexual assault, harassment experiences
- Men respond to #MeToo with #HowIWillChange, promises to do better
Cox Media Group
