Is Seattle’s Mayoral Race Already Decided? Not so Fast…

Between Erica C. Barnett’s reporting in Publicola and Danny Westneat’s Seattle Times column (“Seattle’s going socialist”), there’s probably no need for you and me to bother to vote on the mayor’s race in November. Both commentors seem convinced that socialist activist Katie Wilson, who took 51 percent of the primary vote, is a shoo-in.

However, after re-watching the “Inside Out” debate between the two contenders, I’m not so sure. There are points that need clarifying and questions that need to be answered. Here are a few.

Katie Wilson, in her platform, promised to stand up 4,000 units of emergency housing. Asked what 4,000 units will cost, she repeatedly failed to answer, also refusing to identify the source of funds. Erika Barnett charged that Harrell wouldn’t let Wilson answer, speaking over her. However, Wilson was equally unresponsive when the question was repeated by moderator Brian Callahan.

The contenders left us confused over their stands on policing. Wilson told of hearing concern for public safety and a need for neighborhood watches, while Harrell cited Wilson’s earlier op-ed in favor of defunding the police. During the give and take, Wilson attacked Harrell for his support of a former police chief and the exodus on his watch of some veteran officers. Additionally Wilson charged Seattle’s reduced crime rate lags behind reductions in other cities.

Both Wilson and Harrell voiced their support of social housing, which they agreed will be costly. Where they differed was on how to pay for social housing. Harrell favors first using existing funds, while Wilson wants a new progressive tax which she would not identify.

Harrell faulted “this person,” an unnecessarily dismissive reference to Wilson, for her inexperience at managing a large institution. Wilson countered emphasizing her leadership of the Transit Riders Union. Pressed, she finally said the yearly TRU budget amounts to around $200,000; but she failed to identify how many people she supervised, instead referencing support from volunteers.

The two split over their respective abilities to stand up to Trump. Wilson accused Harrell of “spending money inefficiently” whereas he talked about funding libraries, food banks, and parks. They disagreed over increased use of police cameras, Wilson charging they would be used by ICE while Harrell contended that surveillance cameras help assure safety for minorities and immigrants.

Asked about endorsements, both candidates reported strong backing, Wilson from Democratic legislative districts, the city workers’ union, as well UFCW, the large food handlers and workers union. Harrell counted the national Democratic Party, Martin Luther King Labor Council (which recently decided to jointly endorse Wilson), and local politicians including Rep. Pramila Jayapal and Gov. Bob Ferguson.

Danny Westneat returned from a months-long sabbatical to write a shoot-the-squirrels opinion (one designed to provoke response). He asserted Seattle is now turning its back on capitalism as evidenced by Wilson’s identifying as a socialist. In her defense, Wilson claimed she stopped short of endorsing former Councilmember Kshama Sawant’s Marxist views. But Wilson didn’t disavow her one-time monetary contribution to the woman who wanted to tear down the system and “flush capitalism.”

Wilson has campaigned with vague feel-good promises about municipal grocery stores, pharmacies, taxpayer-funded blogs, and summer childcare. Once again she didn’t identify any funding sources beyond calling for less regressive taxes.

The debates between Harrell and Wilson — a bunch more are scheduled — will provide voters with the opportunity to compare their different approaches to solving homelessness and other needs. Wilson is using sketchy promises and Harrell doing a bureaucratic slow walk. Voters should stay tuned and demand specific bottom-line answers.