Katie Wilson: Difference between revisions

 

Line 26: Line 26:

== Early life and activism ==

== Early life and activism ==

Wilson was raised in [[Binghamton, New York]], by her parents, Anne Barrett Clark and [[David Sloan Wilson]], both of whom are evolutionary biologists.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9-YnW8GJcw |title=Katie Wilson on Safer Streets, Cheaper Housing & a World-Class 2026 World Cup |date=2025-05-29 |last=Lobbing Scorchers |access-date=2025-08-06 |via=YouTube |archive-date=July 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250724040946/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9-YnW8GJcw |url-status=live }} |”I grew up in upstate New York, in a town called Binghamton…”</ref><ref name=”:3″>{{Cite web |last=Winter |first=Hannah Murphy |title=The Making of Katie Wilson |url=https://www.thestranger.com/news/2025/10/02/80265661/the-making-of-katie-wilson |access-date=2025-10-03 |website=The Stranger |language=en}}</ref> She graduated June 6, 2000, [[salutatorian]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2000-06-11 |title=Press and Sun-Bulletin from Binghamton, New York |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/253293645/ |access-date=2025-10-08 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en-US}}</ref> from [[Binghamton High School]] before studying [[physics]] and [[philosophy]] at [[Balliol College, Oxford|Balliol College of Oxford]] in England.<ref name=”:3″/> She dropped out of Oxford six weeks before graduation and moved to Seattle in 2004.<ref name=”:1″/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kroman |first1=David |title=Katie Wilson’s Seattle mayor race: What to know about Harrell’s rival |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/katie-wilsons-seattle-mayor-race-what-to-know-about-harrells-rival/ |access-date=8 October 2025 |work=Seattle Times |date=6 October 2025}}</ref> She worked several jobs after moving, including working in boat repair, [[construction]], and as an [[office assistant]].<ref name=”:3″/>

Wilson was raised in [[Binghamton, New York]], by her parents, Anne Barrett Clark and [[David Sloan Wilson]], both evolutionary biologists.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9-YnW8GJcw |title=Katie Wilson on Safer Streets, Cheaper Housing & a World-Class 2026 World Cup |date=2025-05-29 |last=Lobbing Scorchers |access-date=2025-08-06 |via=YouTube |archive-date=July 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250724040946/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9-YnW8GJcw |url-status=live }} |”I grew up in upstate New York, in a town called Binghamton…”</ref><ref name=”:3″>{{Cite web |last=Winter |first=Hannah Murphy |title=The Making of Katie Wilson |url=https://www.thestranger.com/news/2025/10/02/80265661/the-making-of-katie-wilson |access-date=2025-10-03 |website=The Stranger |language=en}}</ref> She graduated 2000 [[salutatorian]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2000-06-11 |title=Press and Sun-Bulletin from Binghamton, New York |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/253293645/ |access-date=2025-10-08 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en-US}}</ref> from [[Binghamton High School]] before studying [[physics]] and [[philosophy]] at [[Balliol College, Oxford|Balliol College of Oxford]] in England.<ref name=”:3″/> She dropped out of Oxford six weeks before graduation and moved to Seattle in 2004.<ref name=”:1″/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kroman |first1=David |title=Katie Wilson’s Seattle mayor race: What to know about Harrell’s rival |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/katie-wilsons-seattle-mayor-race-what-to-know-about-harrells-rival/ |access-date=8 October 2025 |work=Seattle Times |date=6 October 2025}}</ref> She worked several jobs after moving, including working in boat repair, [[construction]], and as an [[office assistant]].<ref name=”:3″/>

In the fall of 2011, Wilson co-founded the Seattle Transit Riders Union (TRU), a nonprofit 501c4 focused on improving public transportation in Seattle and King County, where she’s been a paid, full-time employee since 2019. Tax records show she earned almost $73,000 from the nonprofit in 2022, when she worked 55 hours per week. She wears two hats, serving as Executive Director and the group’s board president, an unpaid position.<ref>{{cite web |title=Katie Wilson can barely afford to live in Seattle. That’s why she wants to be mayor|url=https://www.kuow.org/stories/katie-wilson-seattle-mayor-she-can-barely-afford-to-live-here-election-2025|publisher=KUOW |access-date=10 November 2025}}</ref> The TRU is an organization that campaigns and lobbies for [[Progressivism in the United States|progressive]] causes.<ref name=”:0″>{{cite news |last1=Barnett |first1=Erica C. |title=Seattle’s Most Influential People 2018: Transit Riders Union General Secretary, Katie Wilson |url=https://seattlemag.com/features/seattles-most-influential-people-2018-transit-riders-union-general-secretary/ |access-date=20 August 2025 |work=Seattle Magazine |date=October 18, 2018}}</ref><ref name=”Bloomberg”/>

In fall 2011, Wilson co-founded the Seattle Transit Riders Union (TRU), a nonprofit 501c4 focused on improving public transportation in Seattle and King County, where she’s been a paid, full-time employee since 2019. Tax records show she earned almost $73,000 from the nonprofit in 2022, when she worked 55 hours per week. She as Executive Director and the group’s board president, an unpaid position.<ref>{{cite web |title=Katie Wilson can barely afford to live in Seattle. That’s why she wants to be mayor|url=https://www.kuow.org/stories/katie-wilson-seattle-mayor-she-can-barely-afford-to-live-here-election-2025|publisher=KUOW |access-date=10 November 2025}}</ref> The TRU is an organization that campaigns and lobbies for [[Progressivism in the United States|progressive]] causes.<ref name=”:0″>{{cite news |last1=Barnett |first1=Erica C. |title=Seattle’s Most Influential People 2018: Transit Riders Union General Secretary, Katie Wilson |url=https://seattlemag.com/features/seattles-most-influential-people-2018-transit-riders-union-general-secretary/ |access-date=20 August 2025 |work=Seattle Magazine |date=October 18, 2018}}</ref><ref name=”Bloomberg”/>

The organization was formed after a proposed 17% cut to [[King County Metro]] and an elimination of the fare-free zone in downtown.<ref name=”Bloomberg”>{{cite news |last1=Badger |first1=Emily |title=Does Your City Need a Transit Riders Union? |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-10-29/does-your-city-need-a-transit-riders-union |access-date=20 August 2025 |work=Bloomberg News |date=October 29, 2012 |archive-date=November 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241120121402/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-10-29/does-your-city-need-a-transit-riders-union |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2014, Wilson and the TRU successfully lobbied King County for the creation of the ORCA Lift program, which provided reduced fares for low-income individuals.<ref name=”:2″>{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Josh |date=2025-03-12 |title=Activist Katie Wilson enters Seattle mayoral race against Harrell |url=https://www.cascadepbs.org/politics/2025/03/activist-katie-wilson-enters-seattle-mayoral-race-against-harrell/ |access-date=2025-08-06 |website=Cascade PBS |language=en}}</ref><ref name=”King1″>{{cite news |last1=Didion |first1=Alex |title=Katie Wilson enters Seattle mayor race against Bruce Harrell |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/katie-wilson-enters-seattle-mayor-race/281-483b6e95-6b79-450a-b498-d194893fa63f |access-date=20 August 2025 |work=King5 |date=March 13, 2025}}</ref> The TRU has previously campaigned for increases to the [[Minimum wage in the United States|minimum wage]] in [[Burien, Washington|Burien]], [[SeaTac, Washington|SeaTac]] and [[Tukwila, Washington|Tukwila]], as well as greater renters’ rights, and better public transport.<ref name=”:0″/><ref name=”:2″/><ref name=”King1″/>

The organization was formed after a proposed 17% cut to [[King County Metro]] and an elimination of the fare-free zone in downtown.<ref name=”Bloomberg”>{{cite news |last1=Badger |first1=Emily |title=Does Your City Need a Transit Riders Union? |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-10-29/does-your-city-need-a-transit-riders-union |access-date=20 August 2025 |work=Bloomberg News |date=October 29, 2012 |archive-date=November 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241120121402/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-10-29/does-your-city-need-a-transit-riders-union |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2014, Wilson and the TRU successfully lobbied King County for the creation of the ORCA Lift program, which provided reduced fares for low-income individuals.<ref name=”:2″>{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Josh |date=2025-03-12 |title=Activist Katie Wilson enters Seattle mayoral race against Harrell |url=https://www.cascadepbs.org/politics/2025/03/activist-katie-wilson-enters-seattle-mayoral-race-against-harrell/ |access-date=2025-08-06 |website=Cascade PBS |language=en}}</ref><ref name=”King1″>{{cite news |last1=Didion |first1=Alex |title=Katie Wilson enters Seattle mayor race against Bruce Harrell |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/katie-wilson-enters-seattle-mayor-race/281-483b6e95-6b79-450a-b498-d194893fa63f |access-date=20 August 2025 |work=King5 |date=March 13, 2025}}</ref> The TRU previously campaigned for increases to the [[Minimum wage in the United States|minimum wage]] in [[Burien, Washington|Burien]], [[SeaTac, Washington|SeaTac]] and [[Tukwila, Washington|Tukwila]], as well as greater renters’ rights, and better public transport.<ref name=”:0″/><ref name=”:2″/><ref name=”King1″/>

In 2020, Wilson played a role in the creation of Seattle’s JumpStart tax, a [[payroll tax]] on private employers to fund affordable housing.<ref name=”:2″/><ref name=”King1″/> She was critical of Mayor [[Bruce Harrell]] for proposing redirecting JumpStart funds to balance the city budget instead of affordable housing projects.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cohen |first1=Josh |title=Jumpstart: The fight over how to spend Seattle’s big-business tax |url=https://www.cascadepbs.org/news/2024/10/jumpstart-fight-over-how-spend-seattles-big-business-tax/ |access-date=20 August 2025 |work=Cascade PBS |date=October 3, 2024}}</ref> Wilson was also a member of Harrell’s Seattle Revenue Stabilization Workgroup, which explored and recommended additional progressive revenue to address the city’s budget deficit.<ref name=”:2″/><ref name=”King1″/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Krieg |first1=Hannah |title=Big Business Attempts to Derail Seattle’s Search for New Progressive Taxes |url=https://www.thestranger.com/news/2023/06/16/79039112/big-business-attempts-to-derail-seattles-search-for-new-progressive-taxes |access-date=20 August 2025 |work=The Stranger |date=June 16, 2023 |archive-date=August 22, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250822220437/https://www.thestranger.com/news/2023/06/16/79039112/big-business-attempts-to-derail-seattles-search-for-new-progressive-taxes |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2020, Wilson played a role in the creation of Seattle’s JumpStart tax, a [[payroll tax]] on private employers to fund affordable housing.<ref name=”:2″/><ref name=”King1″/> She was critical of Mayor [[Bruce Harrell]] for proposing redirecting JumpStart funds to balance the city budget instead of affordable housing projects.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cohen |first1=Josh |title=Jumpstart: The fight over how to spend Seattle’s big-business tax |url=https://www.cascadepbs.org/news/2024/10/jumpstart-fight-over-how-spend-seattles-big-business-tax/ |access-date=20 August 2025 |work=Cascade PBS |date=October 3, 2024}}</ref> Wilson was also a member of Harrell’s Seattle Revenue Stabilization Workgroup, which explored and recommended additional progressive revenue to address the city’s budget deficit.<ref name=”:2″/><ref name=”King1″/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Krieg |first1=Hannah |title=Big Business Attempts to Derail Seattle’s Search for New Progressive Taxes |url=https://www.thestranger.com/news/2023/06/16/79039112/big-business-attempts-to-derail-seattles-search-for-new-progressive-taxes |access-date=20 August 2025 |work=The Stranger |date=June 16, 2023 |archive-date=August 22, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250822220437/https://www.thestranger.com/news/2023/06/16/79039112/big-business-attempts-to-derail-seattles-search-for-new-progressive-taxes |url-status=live }}</ref>

Line 38: Line 38:

== Seattle mayoral campaign ==

== Seattle mayoral campaign ==

{{See also|2025 Seattle mayoral election}}

{{See also|2025 Seattle mayoral election}}

In March 2025, Wilson announced a campaign to challenge incumbent [[Bruce Harrell]] for [[mayor of Seattle]].<ref name=”ST Announce”>{{cite news |last1=Kroman |first1=David |title=Progressive organizer joins mayoral race against Harrell |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/progressive-organizer-joins-mayoral-race-against-harrell/ |access-date=20 August 2025 |work=The Seattle Times |date=March 12, 2025}}</ref> She cited Harrell’s opposition to a February 2025 ballot measure that would fund housing through taxes on businesses as a factor in her decision to run.<ref name=”:2″/><ref name=”Axios”>{{Cite web |last=Santos |first=Melissa |date=2025-07-28 |title=Seattle mayoral race tightens as Katie Wilson matches Bruce Harrell in fundraising |url=https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/07/28/seattle-2025-mayor-primary-bruce-harrell-katie-wilson-campaign |access-date=2025-08-06 |website=Axios |language=en}}</ref> Wilson, running as a progressive, stated her top three priorities as mayor are housing, homelessness, and protecting Seattle from federal actions.<ref name=”:1″/><ref name=”:2″/><ref>{{cite news |title=Progressive activist Katie Wilson is running for Seattle mayor |url=https://www.everettpost.com/state-news/progressive-activist-katie-wilson-is-running-for-seattle-mayor |access-date=21 August 2025 |work=Center Square |publisher=Everett Post |date=March 14, 2025}}</ref> In the primary, she was endorsed by every [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic party]] organization in the city, including all six legislative district Democrats, the Stranger, and PROTEC17, a union that represents 3,000 city workers.<ref name=”stranger endorse”>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-02 |title=The Stranger Endorses Katie Wilson for Mayor |url=https://www.thestranger.com/stranger-election-control-board/2025/07/02/80127708/the-stranger-endorses-katie-wilson-for-mayor |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=The Stranger |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kroman |first1=David |title=Seattle city workers union backs Katie Wilson for mayor |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-city-workers-union-backs-katie-wilson-for-mayor/ |access-date=21 August 2025 |work=The Seattle Times |date=July 17, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Jung |first1=Mimi |title=Seattle mayoral candidate Katie Wilson talks about housing, transit and ‘Trump-proofing’ the city |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/seattle-mayoral-candidate-katie-wilson-bruce-harrell/281-cd1b6af4-3820-4bbf-ada4-1245f42bd2f8 |access-date=21 August 2025 |work=King5 |date=June 24, 2025}}</ref>

In March 2025, Wilson announced a campaign to challenge incumbent [[Bruce Harrell]] for [[mayor of Seattle]].<ref name=”ST Announce”>{{cite news |last1=Kroman |first1=David |title=Progressive organizer joins mayoral race against Harrell |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/progressive-organizer-joins-mayoral-race-against-harrell/ |access-date=20 August 2025 |work=The Seattle Times |date=March 12, 2025}}</ref> She cited Harrell’s opposition to a February 2025 ballot measure that would fund housing through taxes on businesses as a factor in her decision to run.<ref name=”:2″/><ref name=”Axios”>{{Cite web |last=Santos |first=Melissa |date=2025-07-28 |title=Seattle mayoral race tightens as Katie Wilson matches Bruce Harrell in fundraising |url=https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/07/28/seattle-2025-mayor-primary-bruce-harrell-katie-wilson-campaign |access-date=2025-08-06 |website=Axios |language=en}}</ref> Wilson, running as a progressive, stated her top three priorities as mayor are housing, homelessness, and protecting Seattle from federal actions.<ref name=”:1″/><ref name=”:2″/><ref>{{cite news |title=Progressive activist Katie Wilson is running for Seattle mayor |url=https://www.everettpost.com/state-news/progressive-activist-katie-wilson-is-running-for-seattle-mayor |access-date=21 August 2025 |work=Center Square |publisher=Everett Post |date=March 14, 2025}}</ref> In the primary, she was endorsed by every [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic party]] organization in the city, including all six legislative district Democrats, Stranger, and PROTEC17, a union that represents 3,000 city workers.<ref name=”stranger endorse”>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-02 |title=The Stranger Endorses Katie Wilson for Mayor |url=https://www.thestranger.com/stranger-election-control-board/2025/07/02/80127708/the-stranger-endorses-katie-wilson-for-mayor |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=The Stranger |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kroman |first1=David |title=Seattle city workers union backs Katie Wilson for mayor |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-city-workers-union-backs-katie-wilson-for-mayor/ |access-date=21 August 2025 |work=The Seattle Times |date=July 17, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Jung |first1=Mimi |title=Seattle mayoral candidate Katie Wilson talks about housing, transit and ‘Trump-proofing’ the city |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/seattle-mayoral-candidate-katie-wilson-bruce-harrell/281-cd1b6af4-3820-4bbf-ada4-1245f42bd2f8 |access-date=21 August 2025 |work=King5 |date=June 24, 2025}}</ref>

In the weeks leading to the primary, polls indicated a close race between Wilson and Harrell, with both raising nearly $500,000.<ref name=”Axios”/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Cohen |first1=Josh |title=Harrell, Katie Wilson in close competition ahead of Aug. 5 primary |url=https://www.cascadepbs.org/elections-2025/2025/07/harrell-katie-wilson-in-close-competition-ahead-of-aug-5-primary/ |access-date=20 August 2025 |work=Cascade PBS |date=July 31, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Villeneuve |first1=Andrew |title=Katie Wilson 36%, Bruce Harrell 33%: NPI’s May 2025 Civic Heartbeat poll finds statistical tie in Seattle mayoral race |url=https://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2025/05/katie-wilson-36-bruce-harrell-33-npis-may-2025-civic-heartbeat-poll-finds-statistical-tie-in-seattle-mayoral-race.html |publisher=Northwest Progressive Institute |access-date=21 August 2025 |date=May 22, 2025}}</ref> In the August [[nonpartisan primary]], Wilson placed first among a field of eight candidates, with 50.8% of the vote, and advanced to the general election with Harrell who earned 41.2%.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-05 |title=Live election results: Aug. 5 Seattle area primary |url=https://www.kuow.org/stories/live-election-results-aug-5-seattle-area-primary |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=www.kuow.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mallon |first=Elaine |date=2025-08-06 |title=Seattle mayor faces battle after primary upset by progressive challenger Katie Wilson |url=https://komonews.com/news/nation-world/seattle-mayor-faces-battle-after-primary-upset-by-progressive-challenger-katie-wilson |access-date=2025-08-06 |website=KOMO |language=en}}</ref>

In the weeks leading to the primary, polls indicated a close race between Wilson and Harrell, with both raising nearly $500,000.<ref name=”Axios”/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Cohen |first1=Josh |title=Harrell, Katie Wilson in close competition ahead of Aug. 5 primary |url=https://www.cascadepbs.org/elections-2025/2025/07/harrell-katie-wilson-in-close-competition-ahead-of-aug-5-primary/ |access-date=20 August 2025 |work=Cascade PBS |date=July 31, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Villeneuve |first1=Andrew |title=Katie Wilson 36%, Bruce Harrell 33%: NPI’s May 2025 Civic Heartbeat poll finds statistical tie in Seattle mayoral race |url=https://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2025/05/katie-wilson-36-bruce-harrell-33-npis-may-2025-civic-heartbeat-poll-finds-statistical-tie-in-seattle-mayoral-race.html |publisher=Northwest Progressive Institute |access-date=21 August 2025 |date=May 22, 2025}}</ref> In the August [[nonpartisan primary]], Wilson placed first among a field of eight candidates, with 50.8% of the vote, and advanced to the general election with Harrell who earned 41.2%.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-05 |title=Live election results: Aug. 5 Seattle area primary |url=https://www.kuow.org/stories/live-election-results-aug-5-seattle-area-primary |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=www.kuow.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mallon |first=Elaine |date=2025-08-06 |title=Seattle mayor faces battle after primary upset by progressive challenger Katie Wilson |url=https://komonews.com/news/nation-world/seattle-mayor-faces-battle-after-primary-upset-by-progressive-challenger-katie-wilson |access-date=2025-08-06 |website=KOMO |language=en}}</ref>

Wilson’s campaign has been likened to the campaign of [[Zohran Mamdani]] in the [[2025 New York City mayoral election]] by several publications, including ”[[The Nation]]” and ”[[The Stranger (newspaper)|The Stranger]]”.<ref name=”stranger endorse”/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Burbank |first=John |date=2025-07-18 |title=Katie Wilson of Seattle Shows Zohran Mamdani Is Not Alone |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/mamdani-progressivism-socialism-seattle-mayor/ |access-date=2025-08-07 |work=[[The Nation]] |language=en-US |issn=0027-8378 |archive-date=July 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250720145630/https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/mamdani-progressivism-socialism-seattle-mayor/ |url-status=live }}</ref> She criticized Harrell for being part of the “[[status quo]]” and not properly addressing homelessness and sweeping individuals, while also not lowering the cost of living.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Santos |first1=Melissa |title=Meet the 7 people challenging Bruce Harrell for mayor |url=https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/05/13/seattle-mayor-candidates-2025 |access-date=21 August 2025 |work=Axios Seattle |date=May 13, 2025}}</ref><ref name=”KOMO results”>{{cite news |last1=Esteban |first1=Michelle |title=What’s at stake as Seattle mayoral race heats up between Katie Wilson and Bruce Harrell |url=https://komonews.com/news/local/seattle-mayoral-race-katie-wilson-incumbent-bruce-harrell-king-county-elections-early-results-primary-november-general-homelessness-affordability-public-safety |access-date=21 August 2025 |work=KOMO |date=August 6, 2025}}</ref> Harrell touted his administration’s efforts on public safety, transportation, and housing affordability, while criticizing Wilson’s previous support for the “Defund the Police” movement.<ref name=”KOMO results”/><ref name=”BH”>{{cite news |last1=Gans |first1=Jared |title=Progressives make inroads in key mayor’s races |url=https://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/hill-politics/progressives-make-inroads-in-key-mayors-races/ |access-date=21 August 2025 |work=The Hill |publisher=Binghampton Homepage |date=August 13, 2025}}</ref> Although she did not call for defunding the police during the campaign, Wilson stated that armed officers are not needed to respond to mental health and other non-crime calls.<ref name=”BH”/>

Wilson’s campaign likened to the campaign of [[Zohran Mamdani]] in the [[2025 New York City mayoral election]] by several publications, including ”[[The Nation]]” and ”[[The Stranger (newspaper)|The Stranger]]”.<ref name=”stranger endorse”/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Burbank |first=John |date=2025-07-18 |title=Katie Wilson of Seattle Shows Zohran Mamdani Is Not Alone |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/mamdani-progressivism-socialism-seattle-mayor/ |access-date=2025-08-07 |work=[[The Nation]] |language=en-US |issn=0027-8378 |archive-date=July 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250720145630/https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/mamdani-progressivism-socialism-seattle-mayor/ |url-status=live }}</ref> She criticized Harrell for being part of the “[[status quo]]” and not properly addressing homelessness and sweeping individuals, while also not lowering the cost of living.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Santos |first1=Melissa |title=Meet the 7 people challenging Bruce Harrell for mayor |url=https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/05/13/seattle-mayor-candidates-2025 |access-date=21 August 2025 |work=Axios Seattle |date=May 13, 2025}}</ref><ref name=”KOMO results”>{{cite news |last1=Esteban |first1=Michelle |title=What’s at stake as Seattle mayoral race heats up between Katie Wilson and Bruce Harrell |url=https://komonews.com/news/local/seattle-mayoral-race-katie-wilson-incumbent-bruce-harrell-king-county-elections-early-results-primary-november-general-homelessness-affordability-public-safety |access-date=21 August 2025 |work=KOMO |date=August 6, 2025}}</ref> Harrell touted his administration’s efforts on public safety, transportation, and housing affordability, while criticizing Wilson’s previous support for the “Defund the Police” movement.<ref name=”KOMO results”/><ref name=”BH”>{{cite news |last1=Gans |first1=Jared |title=Progressives make inroads in key mayor’s races |url=https://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/hill-politics/progressives-make-inroads-in-key-mayors-races/ |access-date=21 August 2025 |work=The Hill |publisher=Binghampton Homepage |date=August 13, 2025}}</ref> Although she did not call for defunding the police during the campaign, Wilson stated that armed officers are not needed to respond to mental health and other non-crime calls.<ref name=”BH”/>

== Personal life ==

== Personal life ==

Wilson is married to fellow activist Scott Myers, whom she met during high school in Binghamton.<ref name=”:3″/> They rent a one-bedroom apartment on [[Capitol Hill, Seattle|Capitol Hill]] and have one daughter.<ref name=”:3″/>

Wilson is married to fellow activist Scott Myers, whom she met during high school in Binghamton.<ref name=”:3″/> They rent a one-bedroom apartment on [[Capitol Hill, Seattle|Capitol Hill]] and have one daughter.<ref name=”:3″/>

Katie Wilson does not own a car and primarily rides the bus (public transit) to get around Seattle with her daughter. Wilson has also previously used a bicycle for transportation, although she relies more on transit since having a child.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harrell, Wilson take different roads with Seattle transportation ideas|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/harrell-wilson-take-different-roads-with-seattle-transportation-ideas/ |access-date=2025-11-10 |publisher=Seattle Times |language=en}}</ref>

Katie Wilson does not own a car and primarily rides public transit to get around Seattle with her daughter. Wilson has also previously used a bicycle for transportation, although she relies more on transit since having a child.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harrell, Wilson take different roads with Seattle transportation ideas|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/harrell-wilson-take-different-roads-with-seattle-transportation-ideas/ |access-date=2025-11-10 |publisher=Seattle Times |language=en}}</ref>

==Electoral history==

==Electoral history==

===2025 mayoral election===

===2025 mayoral election===

American activist (born 1982)

Katherine Barrett Wilson^[1] (born July 12, 1982) is an American progressive activist, community organizer, writer, and candidate for mayor of Seattle in the 2025 election. Wilson is the co-founder and executive director of the Transit Riders Union, a group that focuses on improving public transportation and workers’ rights. In August 2025, Wilson placed first in the primary for the 2025 Seattle mayoral election, and advanced to the general election with incumbent mayor Bruce Harrell. She is the projected winner of the election.^[2][3][4]

Wilson was raised in Binghamton, New York, by her parents, Anne Barrett Clark and David Sloan Wilson, both evolutionary biologists.^[5][6] She graduated in 2000 as salutatorian^[7] from Binghamton High School before studying physics and philosophy at Balliol College of Oxford in England.^[6] She dropped out of Oxford six weeks before graduation and moved to Seattle in 2004.^[8][9] She worked several jobs after moving, including working in boat repair, construction, and as an office assistant.^[6]

In fall 2011, Wilson co-founded the Seattle Transit Riders Union (TRU), a nonprofit 501c4 focused on improving public transportation in Seattle and King County, where she’s been a paid, full-time employee since 2019. Tax records show she earned almost $73,000 from the nonprofit in 2022, when she worked 55 hours per week. She also served as Executive Director and the group’s board president, an unpaid position.^[10] The TRU is an organization that campaigns and lobbies for progressive causes.^[11][12]

The organization was formed after a proposed 17% cut to King County Metro and an elimination of the fare-free zone in downtown.^[12] In 2014, Wilson and the TRU successfully lobbied King County for the creation of the ORCA Lift program, which provided reduced fares for low-income individuals.^[13][14] The TRU previously campaigned for increases to the minimum wage in Burien, SeaTac and Tukwila, as well as greater renters’ rights, and better public transport.^[11][13][14]

In 2020, Wilson played a role in the creation of Seattle’s JumpStart tax, a payroll tax on private employers to fund affordable housing.^[13][14] She was critical of Mayor Bruce Harrell for proposing redirecting JumpStart funds to balance the city budget instead of affordable housing projects.^[15] Wilson was also a member of Harrell’s Seattle Revenue Stabilization Workgroup, which explored and recommended additional progressive revenue to address the city’s budget deficit.^[13][14][16]

Wilson has written policy columns for Cascade PBS and The Stranger.^[8]

In March 2025, Wilson announced a campaign to challenge incumbent Bruce Harrell for mayor of Seattle.^[17] She cited Harrell’s opposition to a February 2025 ballot measure that would fund housing through taxes on businesses as a factor in her decision to run.^[13][18] Wilson, running as a progressive, stated her top three priorities as mayor are housing, homelessness, and protecting Seattle from federal actions.^[8][13][19] In the primary, she was endorsed by every Democratic party organization in the city, including all six legislative district Democrats, The Stranger, and PROTEC17, a union that represents 3,000 city workers.^[20][21][22]

In the weeks leading to the primary, polls indicated a close race between Wilson and Harrell, with both raising nearly $500,000.^[18][23][24] In the August nonpartisan primary, Wilson placed first among a field of eight candidates, with 50.8% of the vote, and advanced to the general election with Harrell who earned 41.2%.^[25][26]

Wilson’s campaign was likened to the campaign of Zohran Mamdani in the 2025 New York City mayoral election by several publications, including The Nation and The Stranger.^[20][27] She criticized Harrell for being part of the “status quo” and not properly addressing homelessness and sweeping individuals, while also not lowering the cost of living.^[28][29] Harrell touted his administration’s efforts on public safety, transportation, and housing affordability, while criticizing Wilson’s previous support for the “Defund the Police” movement.^[29][30] Although she did not call for defunding the police during the campaign, Wilson stated that armed officers are not needed to respond to mental health and other non-crime calls.^[30]

Wilson is married to fellow activist Scott Myers, whom she met during high school in Binghamton.^[6] They rent a one-bedroom apartment on Capitol Hill and have one daughter.^[6]

Katie Wilson does not own a car and primarily rides public transit to get around Seattle with her daughter. Wilson has also previously used a bicycle for transportation, although she relies more on transit since having a child.^[31]

Nonpartisan primary results^[32]

Candidate		Votes	%
Katie Wilson		98,562	50.75
Bruce Harrell (incumbent)		80,043	41.21
Joe Mallahan		8,538	4.40
Ry Armstrong		2,120	1.09
Clinton Bliss		2,046	1.05
Isaiah Willoughby		817	0.42
Joe Molloy		799	0.41
Thaddeus Whelan		716	0.37
Write-in		588	0.30
Total votes		198,071	100.00