Savvy Moderates Join Mayor Wilson Team

There are two of things to know about Katie Wilson, who will become mayor of Seattle on January 1. First: She arrived in Seattle in 2004 and devoted her time to learning about the city and its ways. Second: She is smart and knows that she won a divided election (a mere 2,000 vote plurality) and has no mandate.

That she understands so much about the city was apparent in her choice of a large, diverse transition team. With the team’s help, she’s now appointing experienced people to her administration. Unlike Mayor Harrell with his four deputies, she selected just one deputy mayor, Brian Surratt, who once led the city’s Office of Economic Development, helped establish the city’s $15 minimum wage, and is currently CEO of Greater Seattle Partners, an economic development organization.

Councilmembers (myself among them) came to know Surratt as someone who gets things done, more work horse than show pony. Appointment of a seasoned veteran such as Surratt has cheered even those who opposed Wilson’s election.

Wilson’s other early appointments include Aly Pennucci, former City Council budget analyst, as budget director; Jen Chan, who has 25 years of government experience, to oversee department heads; Kate Brunette Kreuzer, treasurer of Transit Riders Union, for her chief of staff; and Seferiana Day, Upper Left Strategies founder and political consultant, as communication director.

The mayor-elect has promised “to be mayor for all voices in the city.” While she picked some past associates for her team, she seems determined to honor her promise of unity. Members of Seattle’s business establishment, which heavily backed Harrell in the election, seem moderately pleased over her initial appointments.

As mayor, Wilson will benefit from working with a skilled and slimmed-down administration, but she also will need to work with an ever-changing council. The makeup of the Seattle City Council swings back and forth: during pandemic years it veered far left (“defund the police”) and then shifted rightward (“no new taxes”). Observers believe this year’s election split the council into three groups: three in the left lane, three centrists, and three leaning rightward. To realize any of her goals, Mayor Wilson will have to find a pathway to secure the needed five council votes.

When campaigning, Wilson made limitless promises: vastly expanded shelter and social housing, free bus service, summer day care, police accountability, and municipal grocery stores and pharmacies. There is little chance she can make good on many of those goals in a strapped economy, even if she succeeds in passing increased taxes.

Where Wilson and the council must remain strong is in forging a united front in an era of Trumpian excesses. Federal funds won’t come Seattle’s way with the President bent on denying benefits to blue states and cities. The best the city can hope for is to remain out of the national spotlight while protecting endangered refugees and migrants.

With luck, the new regime at City Hall will rise to meet the challenges, even if such progress takes compromises and vote trading on all sides. Fortunately, Mayor-elect Wilson seems to understand the necessity of assembling a crew that includes savvy, experienced moderates.