Seattle Mayor

Wilson wears a black blazer and stands on the balcony outside her seventh floor office, with the downtown skyline in the background

One Week In, Katie Wilson Charts the Path Ahead

The Urbanist recently sat down with Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson to get the latest on initiatives she has cooking now that her team is in office. We touched on emergency housing, bus lanes, World Cup preparations, Sound Transit, culture change at the police department, and more.
Wilson supporters hold yellow "This is your city" signs. She stands at the lectern and and a man adjust the mic to her height.

Urbanist Podcast: New Year, New Mayor, New Budget

Ryan Packer, Amy Sundberg, and Doug Trumm kick off the new year by breaking down Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson's inauguration and Washington Governor Bob Ferguson's budget proposal, which included deep cuts to public education, while also queuing up a millionaires income tax for 2029.

Katie Wilson Takes Office as Seattle’s Unabashed Urbanist Mayor

In remarks after being sworn in as Seattle's 58th mayor, Katie Wilson painted a vision of improving the daily lives of residents that was explicitly urbanist: focused around livability and ensuring that no one gets pushed out of the city.
A line of people approach Federal Way Downtown Station, with a train waiting at the elevated platform.

Urbanist Podcast: A Light Rail Opening and Police Accountability Door Closing

Ryan Packer, Amy Sundberg, and Doug Trumm discuss the Federal Way Link light rail opening in early December, Katie Wilson's transition team and early hires, and the Seattle City Council's vote to approve a controversial labor contract with the Seattle Police Officers Guild.

Katie Wilson Taps Angela Brady as Interim SDOT Director

Waterfront revamp veteran Angela Brady is taking over as Seattle's transportation department head, replacing Adiam Emery, who previously served as one of Bruce Harrell's deputy mayors. The Wilson Administration will conduct a broader search for a longer-term SDOT Director in 2026.
Councilmember Rob Saka sits on the council dais in a tan sportscoat.

Seattle Approves Controversial Police Guild Contract, Three Councilmembers Dissent

In a 6-3 vote, Seattle City Council approved a police guild contract that falls short on officer accountability and continues to hinder civilian crisis responders. A parting gift from outgoing Mayor Bruce Harrell, the contract could hamstring the incoming administration of Katie Wilson.
Wilson holds a bullhorn and speaks at a pre-pandemic rally standing in from or a big yellow Transit Riders Union banner.

Op-Ed: Looking Back at the Movement That Elected Katie Wilson

John Burbank looks back to a series of progressive victories that paved the way for the most significant mayoral victory in Seattle over the past 100 years, with Katie Wilson about to take office.
Wilson stands on a rooftop in Capitol Hill wearing a Mona Lisa smile. She's a White middle-aged woman with dark hair.

Katie Wilson Charts New Course on Public Safety and Homelessness

Seattle Mayor-Elect Katie Wilson believes she'll be judged primarily by how she can improve outcomes on homelessness and public safety. In an interview with The Urbanist, Wilson laid out what she aims to do to set a new course, striving for a more holistic and effective response.