‘You knew what you voted for’: Gee says don’t act shocked as Katie Wilson’s approval plunges amid recall effort

Only one in three Seattle voters said they are confident that Mayor Katie Wilson has an effective public safety plan, according to a new Seattle Metro Chamber and Challenge Seattle poll.

Wilson, now seven months into her term, is also facing a recall petition that accuses her of mishandling public safety, including forcing Police Chief Shon Barnes to resign. A King County Superior Court judge will hear the case Aug. 31. Wilson said the recall “does not appear to have merit” and that she will not attend the hearing but will be represented by counsel.

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin, co-hosts of “The Gee and Ursula Show” on KIRO Newsradio, discussed the mayor’s response, with Gee arguing that voters should not be surprised by what they are getting.

“In fairness to Katie Wilson, Katie Wilson didn’t hide who she was,” Gee said. “Voters knew that they were electing someone without experience in general. They knew that this is someone who hasn’t been a boss really of anything. They knew she hadn’t managed an organization. They knew that Katie Wilson, once they voted, would be in charge of a $9 billion budget.

“Seattle, you knew what you voted for,” he added. “This is what you’re gonna get, and don’t complain about no experience. You knew that before; Katie didn’t hide that.”

When Wilson was asked about the recall and the polling at an event Wednesday, she did not address the substance of the criticism.

“So that is a legal process that will be playing out,” Wilson said. “I’m focused on leading the city and on making it an affordable place for people to live, and that’s the work that we’re here to discuss today.”

She added that she will not personally attend the Aug. 31 hearing but will be represented by counsel.

Gee questions whether public safety is the priority

Gee said the administration’s track record so far tracks with Wilson’s political background, and voters should not be “clutching pearls” over the results.

“At the end of the day, Ursula, did they make these neighborhoods safer? Is it a priority?” Gee said. “So far, the priority has been a reason to get rid of the chief of police during a very pivotal time. In fairness, respectfully, Katie Wilson was a part of the defund the police crew. So now you’re clutching pearls and shocked that public safety isn’t a top priority? You guys are shocked?”

Ursula warns the recall will fail, but the frustration is real

Ursula said the recall has no realistic path forward but warned Wilson against dismissing the anger behind it.

“This recall is gonna go nowhere,” Ursula said. “Let’s call a spade a spade. It’s not gonna go anywhere. Malfeasance would have to be proven, and I don’t see this succeeding. However, I don’t think that the mayor would be wise to shrug it off either. She has made some big rookie mistakes at City Hall, especially surrounding public safety.”

The Seattle Metro Chamber survey found 74% support cameras at Seattle Center and other major gathering places, and 71% want them in areas dealing with open-air drug markets and street disorder, a direct contrast to Wilson’s decision to pause camera expansion and shut off the Stadium District cameras after the World Cup.

“If she treats every criticism as something to dismiss instead of something to learn from, she needs to take the polling to heart, make some corrections while it’s still relatively early on, listen to people as to what they’re saying,” Ursula said. “The city council on this camera thing especially, yes, there are privacy concerns, but the city council, previous to Mayor Wilson getting into office, had already addressed them.”

Wilson’s favorability has dropped sharply

Wilson’s favorability rating has fallen from 57% in April to 37% in the latest survey, with 62% of respondents now viewing her unfavorably. The decline cuts across her political base, with double-digit drops among self-identified progressives and liberal Democrats.

“It’s dwindling, according to this poll,” Ursula said when Gee suggested Wilson still has a base of support.

“She doesn’t have to get better,” Gee replied. “All she has to do, from now until the rest of her term, is to continue to say, ‘Hey, I’m trying to get an understanding. Hey, we’ve been consulted. Hey, we’re doing a review.’ She does not have to do any type of action. She can kick the can down the road.”

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to Gee and Ursula on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on KIRO Newsradio.