Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson Faces Recall Amid Plunging Approval

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson is facing a recall petition and a sharp decline in public support following a series of public safety crises. A poll commissioned by the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce found Wilson's favorability rating dropped 20 percentage points to 37% since April, with 62% of registered voters viewing her unfavorably. Dissatisfaction centers on the administration's handling of illegal drug use, street disorder, and the response to the deadly Bite of Seattle mass shooting.

A King County Civil Superior Court judge will review the recall petition on August 31. The petition cites the firing of Police Chief Shon Barnes, public safety concerns in the North Aurora and Chinatown-International District neighborhoods, and the management of the city's CCTV camera system. Wilson announced she will not attend the hearing personally and will be represented by legal counsel. If the judge approves the petition, organizers must collect 69,000 signatures within 180 days to trigger a special election.

In response to the crisis, City Councilmember Maritza Rivera is sponsoring a resolution to partner with the National Network for Safe Communities to implement a focused-deterrence strategy to reduce gun violence. Wilson has acknowledged that public safety concerns drive her declining numbers but maintains her focus on city administration and affordable housing. She noted that an audit of the CCTV system's privacy and security practices is underway, with results expected in late September.