Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, challenger Katie Wilson spar over homelessness policy

Hans Anderson

Libby Denkmann

October 23, 2025 / 4:32 pm

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell is trying to win a second term in office, something a sitting mayor hasn’t done in nearly two decades. Running to his left is populist progressive activist Katie Wilson, who has made the city’s response to homelessness a central issue of this race.

“It often feels today as though we've actually given up on meaningfully addressing homelessness,” Wilson said during a KUOW mayoral debate Oct. 20. “We're moving people around from place to place without meaningful offers of shelter and support.”

Her message has resonated on the campaign trail so far. Wilson, the founder and chair of the advocacy group Transit Riders Union,

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