Wilson tops 50% in Seattle mayoral primary vote
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Katie Wilson and Bruce Harrell. Photos: Courtesy of the campaigns
Katie Wilson, the progressive organizer challenging Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, has widened her lead and now holds more than 50% of the Aug. 5 primary vote.
Why it matters: While both candidates will advance to the November general election, Wilson winning an outright majority in the top-two primary signals serious trouble for Harrell's reelection bid.
Between the lines: "It's so rare for someone who tops 50% in the primary to lose," political consultant Crystal Fincher told Axios, calling it a "horrible" result for the incumbent mayor.
- As of Friday, Harrell was capturing less than 42% of the vote in the primary, which eliminated six other candidates who didn't place second or first.
- Political consultant Ben Anderstone said that although Harrell will likely pick up some votes from those eliminated candidates, being down by this much "is pretty rough" for the mayor.
- The spread is large enough that "you can't really just hope things reshuffle in your favor," Anderstone told Axios. "Something needs to change."
What they're saying: "We are so heartened and inspired by the voters of Seattle," Wilson's campaign said in an emailed statement to Axios.
- "It has become clear to us over the course of this campaign that Seattle residents are ready for a different kind of politics: one that centers the needs of regular people over the preferences of the powerful."
- Harrell's campaign, meanwhile, said in a written statement that they "knew this would be a challenging race," but are confident of victory in November.
- "We have our work cut out for us, but have a clear path and big plans that have been in the works to double affordable child care and build tens of thousands of new homes," the Harrell campaign said.
What's next: The primary results are set to be certified later this month. Then Harrell and Wilson will compete head-to-head on the November ballot.