Katie Wilson, 43, defeated incumbent Bruce Harrell in Seattle's mayoral race by about 2,000 votes after Harrell conceded when outstanding ballots could not close the gap. Harrell called to congratulate Wilson and offered transition support. A self-described socialist with a limited political résumé, Wilson led the primary by roughly 10% but won the general election by a razor-thin margin. She has pledged progressive measures on housing, including a proposed bond and stronger renter protections in a city where 56% of residents rent.
Katie Wilson Elected Seattle Mayor in Narrow Victory, Pledges Progressive Housing Agenda
Katie Wilson, 43, defeated incumbent Bruce Harrell in Seattle's mayoral race by about 2,000 votes after Harrell conceded when outstanding ballots could not close the gap. Harrell called to congratulate Wilson and offered transition support. A self-described socialist with a limited political résumé, Wilson led the primary by roughly 10% but won the general election by a razor-thin margin. She has pledged progressive measures on housing, including a proposed bond and stronger renter protections in a city where 56% of residents rent.
01:58 PM, 11/14/2025Politics
Katie Wilson wins tight race for Seattle mayor
Seattle's mayoral contest concluded Thursday night after incumbent Bruce Harrell conceded to challenger Katie Wilson when her lead exceeded the number of outstanding ballots. Wilson, 43, prevailed by roughly 2,000 votes — the narrowest margin in recent Seattle mayoral history.
Harrell, a longtime public official who sought a second term as the city's more conservative leader, called Wilson Thursday morning to offer his congratulations and pledged cooperation during the transition to the new administration.
"The Wilson administration will have new ideas," Harrell said, noting that her victory gives her the mandate to pursue them and emphasizing the importance of listening to younger voters.
Wilson addressed supporters shortly after Harrell's announcement, acknowledging the anxiety some residents feel about the city's future and pledging to work to reduce uncertainty.
"I am delighted, beyond delighted, to be your next mayor," Wilson said at the Seattle Labor Temple in Sodo. "It is an honor and a privilege, and I will do my very best to be worthy of it."
She also praised Harrell for nearly two decades of public service and stressed unity: "I know that we are in this together, and we cannot tackle the major challenges facing our city unless we do it together."
Wilson entered the general election after leading the primary by roughly 10%, but her slim margin in the final tally surprised some observers and underscored a competitive race.
Described by The New York Times as having a limited political résumé, Wilson calls herself a socialist and has framed her campaign around progressive solutions to Seattle's housing and affordability crises. Analysts said voters were presented with a clear choice between two very different candidates.
Joe Mizrahi, a Seattle school board member and secretary-general of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 3000, described the candidates as "almost opposite sides of the same coin in terms of personalities."
Wilson has pledged to pursue progressive funding mechanisms for housing and essential city services. Among her proposals is a bond — reported in coverage as a $1 million measure — intended to support home construction, along with new protections for renters in a city where renters make up about 56% of residents.
As mayor-elect, Wilson faces the challenge of translating campaign promises into policy while calming concerns among residents who expressed anxiety about change. Her administration's early priorities and proposals for financing housing and services will be watched closely by city residents, advocates and business leaders.