Volts Seattle mayoral candidate Katie Wilson on governing a blue city in 2025
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Oct 15, 2025 Join Katie Wilson, a seasoned transit and housing organizer and Seattle mayoral candidate, as she shares insights from her surprising primary win. She discusses the importance of community organizing in effective governance and highlights Seattle's urban issues, like single-family zoning. Katie emphasizes the need for mixed-use neighborhood centers and affordable housing solutions, while also advocating for improved transit options. She maps out her vision for a safer, community-focused Seattle, blending progressive values with practical solutions.
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Organizing As Political Experience
- Katie Wilson described 14 years organizing with Transit Riders Union and coalition-building successes.
- She cited wins like the ORCA LIFT low-income fare and local minimum wage measures as proof of governing-by-organizing.
Build A Credible Executive Team
- Assemble an experienced executive team rather than personally micromanaging every department.
- Hire top officials with deep city-government and business-community credibility to get things done.
Urban Villages Penalize New Residents
- Seattle concentrated new multifamily housing along noisy arterial corridors, creating inequitable, unpleasant places.
- Broadening neighborhood centers and expanding walk-sheds can distribute density into nicer, livable areas.