It's a new era at City Hall.

This is your city, and it was so exciting to experience the energy at City Hall from all the people who came out to my inauguration last month. There was such a shared sense of joy and hope, and a real belief in the possibility that our city can do big things. That we really can make progress on issues like homelessness and affordability. And that we really can make Seattle a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

I have to admit that some days, that speech already feels like forever ago. A lot has happened the past month, and my team and I have been hard at work, accelerating the creation of emergency shelter, bringing a bus lane to Denny Way, taking action to help protect our city from federal immigration agents, and more.

February 2026 marks 100 years of Black History Month – a century of honoring Black voices, Black joy, Black resistance, and Black future.

I’ve only been mayor for a month, but I know we are in a moment that calls for great ambition and bold action. And I know that the foundation of that ambition is trust, and that the most important part of my job as mayor is to build up your trust in local government. And when we successfully accomplish the day-do-day things, we grow that trust, which rekindles the sense that bigger things are possible too.

But we also need to be honest about where we’re at.

The recent shootings in Rainier Beach are weighing really heavily on a lot of us, and my team and I have spent a lot of time there over the past week to grieve with the victims’ families, connect with community members, and talk about the changes that we need to make as a city. This is a beautiful neighborhood with so much to offer, and I think it’s time for everyone of Seattle to rally behind this incredible community.

And we need to offer more than words. I’ll have more to say soon about concrete steps we’re going to take to support the community’s healing process and prevent gun violence.

It was so delightful to meet with members of SPU’s South Park Emergency Response Team who work to protect South Park from Duwamish River flooding during king tide season.

It’s not easy to balance hope and grief and determination at the same time. That’s why representation and participation matter. It's why I told you that we’d have to keep organizing after I got elected, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do. 

I just launched my Mayoral Renter’s Survey this week, and more than 1,000 people have already let us know more about the issues they’re facing as renters, and their priorities for change. It’s available in several of the most common languages in Seattle – take the survey today, and share it with your roommates, neighbors, friends, family, and co-workers.

It’s so encouraging so young people speaking out to demand better. You could hear the voices of the ICE Out of Seattle student protestors echoing inside City Hall, and I’m really glad I went out there to hear from them directly.

I know a lot of you are anxious to hear more about many different issues, from childcare and homelessness to public bathrooms and utility bills. And I love that. Your participation is what makes big things possible. So get out there and organize for what you want to see. Demand more of city government. Demand more of me.

This is your city. I am so proud to be your mayor, I’m so excited about what we can accomplish together, and I can't wait to watch the Seahawks win on Sunday!

Your mayor,
Katie B. Wilson

P.S. Today is also International Clash Day. I had fun recording a little spot about freedom of expression that you just might hear on KEXP today.