‘I will be a mayor for everyone’: Mayor-elect Katie Wilson addresses Seattle after close-fought victory

Mayor-elect Katie Wilson addressed the City of Seattle after an extremely close-fought victory against Bruce Harrell.

“This is your city, and I am delighted, beyond delighted, to be your next mayor,” Wilson said during her speech.

Wilson appeared on CNN Thursday evening and was asked what being a socialist meant to her.

“While I don’t shy away from the label, I certainly didn’t run on it either,” she responded. “And I think we’re really in a moment now where people care a lot less about labels than they do about results. And I ran for mayor in Seattle, because we are in a moment where we have an affordability crisis, just like many cities around the country, people are struggling with the cost of housing, with the cost of child care, with the cost of food, and people are really looking for city leadership that’s going to tackle that affordability crisis and our housing crisis with everything we’ve got.”

Wilson added that she’s excited to get to work to ensure Seattle is delivering for its people.

King County Executive-elect looks forward to working with Wilson

Earlier on Thursday, King County Executive-elect Girmay Zahilay expressed enthusiasm about working with Wilson.

“I look forward to working closely with Mayor-elect Wilson to address homelessness, improve public safety, and make Seattle and King County more affordable places to live,” he said in a prepared statement. “And as two parents of toddlers, I know we both understand firsthand the urgent need to fix our child care affordability crisis. Together, we can deliver a new era of collaboration that puts families and working people first.”

Zahilay also emphasized his commitment to representing all of King County while collaborating with Wilson.

“It is clear that Mayor-elect Wilson’s campaign platform resonated with deep concerns among voters in Seattle about affordability and the cost of living, issues that our two governments can and should collaborate on to address together,” he wrote in his statement. “At the same time, the King County Executive represents every other part of our region too, and I pledge to always bring the perspectives of the other 38 cities in King County, and our vast unincorporated areas, into my conversations with Seattle.”

Katie Wilson vows to be a mayor of the people

Wilson responded during her speech that she will do her best to hear all sides.

“I will be a mayor for everyone,” she said. “I will listen and I will learn, and although we may not always agree, I am absolutely committed to working together whenever and wherever we can, for the good of the city and for all of its residents.”

She looks to carry out the goals of the Seattle community.

“The working people of our city are tired. They are ready for something new, something more hopeful and just and equitable, and I am committed to fighting as hard as humanly possible to realize our shared vision,” Wilson shared.

Wilson overtook Harrell in the voting on Monday, ending with a 1,976-vote lead. Harrell could have asked for a recount, as it was below 2,000 votes, but instead conceded.

As Wilson begins the first steps to take over for Harrell, she thanked him for his work.

“I want to sincerely thank Mayor Harrell for his many years of service to Seattle and to our entire region,” she said.

Wilson lays out her goals for the City of Seattle

In her list of aspirations for Seattle, Wilson touched on childcare, transit, housing, and rights for workers.

“I want everyone in this great city of ours to have a roof over their head. I want universal child care and free K-8 summer care. I want world-class mass transit. I want great, safe public spaces where kids can run around with abandon. I want stable, affordable housing for renters. I want social housing. I want much more land and wealth to be owned and stewarded by communities instead of corporations,” she said.

Wilson continued listing her priorities, which included a “robust economy with thriving small businesses, great living wage jobs, and strong rights for workers.”

“I want a city where everyone has the basics of a dignified life, including healthy food, access to health care, and supportive communities. I want a city where your health and your life expectancy, and your children’s future, doesn’t depend on your zip code or your race,” she continued.

Harrell noted in his speech that his team is ready to welcome Wilson into City Hall and begin the transition.

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