Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson backs progressive challengers over longtime Democratic lawmakers

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson is breaking with Democratic tradition by endorsing progressive challengers over two veteran state lawmakers, signaling a growing divide within Washington’s Democratic Party ahead of the August primary, according to the Washington State Standard.

Wilson announced over the weekend that she will endorse progressive activist Hannah Sabio-Howell in her challenge against Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen in Seattle’s 43rd Legislative District and Ron Davis in his bid to unseat longtime state Rep. Gerry Pollet in the 46th District.

The endorsements mark a significant political gamble for Wilson, who was elected mayor last year with backing from many of the city’s progressive and democratic socialist organizations.

Wilson bets on challengers over 2 well-connected veteran lawmakers

In a statement, the Washington State Standard said Wilson rejected the longstanding practice of incumbents endorsing fellow incumbents.

“There is strong pressure for elected officials to endorse fellow incumbents. It’s a way of maintaining relationships, part of the quid pro quo of governing,” Wilson told the Washington State Standard. “We’re at an inflection point in our city and our region. Voters are feeling a warranted frustration with the status quo.”

Pedersen, one of the Legislature’s most influential Democrats and the architect of Washington’s new tax on high-income earners, said he was disappointed by the decision.

In an email to KIRO Newsradio on Monday morning, the Washington State Democratic Campaign said Pedersen holds the endorsements of multiple organizations, unions, and prominent members of the Democratic party, like Governor Bob Ferguson, Attorney General Nick Brown, King County Executive Girmay Zalhilay, and Seattle City Council President Joy Hollingsworth.

Pollet, who has represented north Seattle since 2011, called Wilson’s decision “astonishing,” saying he has consistently supported the city’s legislative priorities.

Wilson’s picks align with a rising progressive movement nationwide

Wilson’s endorsements come as progressive candidates nationwide have sought to challenge establishment Democrats. Sabio-Howell has campaigned on raising taxes on corporations and wealthy residents while expanding worker protections and other progressive policies.

“We have been represented by a 20-year career politician, a moderate Democrat, who I think is out of step with our district’s values and what we could accomplish if we had more aligned leadership in that seat,” Sabio-Howell said on “The Gee and Ursula Show” in May. “We are paying so much more at the end of the day, at the end of the year, to live here than the super wealthy individuals and corporations that have built their wealth here and have gotten richer and richer.”

Davis has also called for higher taxes on corporations to help lower the cost of living for working families.

“I’m running to freeze the rent in public housing, build over a million homes, double the buses on the road, and make sure childcare is affordable for every family, and protect our community from Donald Trump,” Davis said in a political ad on his website.

Political observers said Wilson’s endorsements could deepen ideological divisions within the Democratic Party in Washington, while testing whether Seattle voters are ready to embrace a new generation of progressive candidates over longtime incumbents.

Washington’s primary election is Aug. 4.

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