Socialist Mayor-elect Katie Wilson has promised to “Trump-proof” Seattle, sending shockwaves through Washington’s largest city. Wilson, 43, narrowly defeated incumbent Bruce Harrell, winning 50.2% of the vote by just 2,004 ballots, according to the King County Board of Elections.
The new mayor’s agenda mirrors that of New York City’s socialist Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. She has pledged to raise taxes on the wealthy, create publicly-backed grocery stores, and expand social programs.
President Donald Trump has already slammed her as a “very liberal-slash-communist mayor” and dismissed her as “another beauty,” threatening to pull six scheduled 2026 FIFA World Cup matches from Seattle if problems arise.
Wilson told The Seattle Times she is willing to meet with President Trump to defend her city.
“I’ll meet with anyone. I mean, he’s the president of the United States,” she said. “There are going to be some people who probably see taking those meetings as selling out. But a lot of people on the progressive left understand it’s going to take bold action to deliver on a progressive agenda.”
Wilson has been planning to “Trump-proof” the city since 2017, when she co-founded the Transit Riders Union and proposed an income tax on wealthy households in a state without one.
She wrote that her efforts were inspired by Trump’s first election and the federal cuts that followed.
She has pledged to defend the LGBT community, reproductive rights, immigrants, and refugees, and oppose mass deportation. Wilson also said Seattle will continue funding SNAP benefits, Medicaid, and other federal programs under threat.
Housing is a central focus. Seattle’s average rent is $1,795 for a one-bedroom and $2,640 for a two-bedroom. Homes sell for nearly $841,000. Wilson plans to build publicly-owned permanent affordable housing, launch a $1 billion bond to create thousands of units, and use empty apartments to shelter the homeless.
Critics warn the plan could cost the city $72 million to $165 million annually and worsen housing shortages, per the Daily Mail.
Seattle has between 16,000 and 22,000 homeless residents. Wilson aims to open 4,000 new emergency housing units over four years and invest in opioid treatment, counseling, and supportive services. She also plans a local housing subsidy to keep residents in federally-funded homes after federal support expires.
Public safety is another priority. Crime in Seattle is 172.9% higher than the national average, according to 2024 FBI data.
Wilson wants to get guns off the street, restrict bulk firearm purchases, improve street lighting, and expand alternative crisis response programs. She hopes increasing civilian roles in these programs will allow police to focus on crime prevention.
Critics remain skeptical. Harrell called her housing plan “short-sighted” and said it would “decimate new affordable housing production.” He also warned her that public safety initiatives could reduce police effectiveness.
Wilson, who relies on her parents’ financial support to live in the city, insists her plans are necessary.
“The cost to rent or buy a home in Seattle is far too high. Too many families are paying over a third of their income or leaving the city altogether,” she said.
The new mayor’s policies promise a radical reshaping of Seattle, challenging both fiscal realities and federal policy, while attempting to insulate the city from Trump-era federal actions.
