Katie Wilson is set to officially assume her role as Seattle’s next mayor on Friday at 10 a.m. during a formal ceremony in the first-floor lobby of Seattle City Hall. This inauguration marks an exciting new chapter for the city as Wilson takes the oath of office and delivers her inaugural address.
The event will feature several guest speakers who will highlight Wilson’s background as a community organizer and her commitment to empowering residents to shape Seattle’s future. As she steps into her new role, Wilson aims to tackle the city’s affordability crisis, advocate for housing solutions, and enhance Seattle as a livable city for all its residents.
Hundreds of attendees from the public are anticipated to join in the celebration, during which Wilson will assert her dedication to the community, adopting the mantra, “This is your city.”
Elected in November 2025, Wilson’s victory over incumbent Mayor Bruce Harrell was one of the closest in Seattle’s history. Her campaign, which began in March 2025, was propelled by her critique of Harrell’s responses to housing affordability, homelessness, and key quality-of-life issues as residents grappled with rising living costs and shelter shortages. In the August primary, Wilson emerged as the frontrunner among eight candidates and ultimately secured her position with just over 50.2% of the vote, winning by a narrow margin of around 0.7 percentage points.
Identifying as a democratic socialist, Wilson has consistently emphasized her focus on economic equity, democratic participation, and robust public services throughout her campaign. Her administration pledges to prioritize coalition building and inclusivity, collaborating with various stakeholders, including businesses, labor groups, housing advocates, and neighborhood organizations.
Wilson’s agenda is centered around several pressing issues:
**Public Safety and Police Reform:** At the heart of her campaign was a commitment to enhancing public safety through a balanced approach that integrates professionalism with compassion in law enforcement. She plans to build upon behavioral health responses and community-based crisis interventions, confirmed by her decision to retain Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes on her leadership team.
**Tackling Housing Affordability and Homelessness:** Wilson is determined to make housing affordability a core focus of her administration. Her proposed policies aim to bolster affordable and social housing while strengthening protections for renters. She advocates for a significant bond measure intended for union-built affordable housing to address the ongoing housing crisis in Seattle, alongside improving shelter capacity and support services for the homeless.
**Economic and Community Development:** Wilson’s transition planning underscores her commitment to fostering economic development and enhancing neighborhood vitality. Her plans encompass balancing growth with livability by prioritizing housing, workers’ rights, transportation, public safety, parks, and overall community well-being.
A comprehensive 60-member transition team consisting of civic and policy experts, including housing specialists and labor representatives, has been assembled to shape both immediate actions and long-term strategies for her administration.
As she prepares to take office, Wilson confronts significant challenges, including homelessness, public safety concerns, and economic obstacles compounded by budget constraints. Seattle is at a crucial junction, facing increasing discussions on the balance of public investment, taxation, and service delivery as it navigates longstanding issues intertwined with emerging pressures.
Kate Wilson’s inauguration symbolizes hope for a more inclusive and equitable Seattle, as she embarks on a journey of public service and community collaboration.