(WSB photo by Torin Record-Sand, substituted for originally published phone photo)
2:31 PM: We are at the Labor Temple in Georgetown, where Mayor-elect Katie Wilson has just delivered her victory speech and answered a few media questions. No audience, just reporters and photographers.
She promised to be “a mayor for everyone,” including those who did not support her. She had warm words for outgoing Mayor Bruce Harrell despite the “bruising campaign” against her. How she won, she said, was the result of thousands of volunteers: “No one saw us coming!” We video-recorded the entire speech and will add it when back at HQ. (Added: Here it is:)
4:09 PM: While she offered words of gratitude and reflection, she did not offer specifics about her transition plan, saying those would be forthcoming next week. In Q&A, she was asked about how she plans to deal with the city’s budget deficit, whether she would propose new taxes, and she did say she would have city staff study the “progressive revenue” proposals that were “in (her) platform.” … She opened the speech by reiterating her campaign slogan, “This is YOUR city,” and saying she was “beyond delighted” to be speaking to Seattleites as their mayor-elect. She called Seattle “a spectacular city” and said she would lead it as the “community organizer” she’s long been.
She said what she wants to accomplish/facilitate as mayor includes “everyone in this great city of ours to have a roof over their head, universal child care, free K-8 summer care … world-class mass transit … great, safe public spaces where kids can run around with abandon … stable, affordable housing for renters … social housing … much more land and wealth to be stewarded by communities instead of corporations … a robust economy with thriving small businesses, great living-wage jobs and rights for workers … a city where everyone has the basics of a dignified life, including healthy food, access to health care … a city where your health or your life expectancy or your children’s future doesn’t depend on your zip code or your race … I believe that I will be stepping into office with a strong mandate to pursue this vision.”
P.S. A few more ballots were counted today – current results:
SEATTLE MAYOR
Katie Wilson – 138,673 – 50.20%
Bruce Harrell* – 136,655 – 49.47%
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