Seattle's Mayor is the head of the Executive department. The Mayor directs and controls all City offices and departments except where that authority is granted to another office by the City Charter. Katherine Barrett Wilson[2] (born July 12, 1982 [3]) is an American politician and activist serving as the 58th mayor of Seattle since 2026. She is the co-founder and executive director of the Transit Riders Union, [4] a group that focuses on improving public transportation and workers' rights. A new Freeholders Charter in 1946 changed the term of the Mayor to four years. Mayors who served from 1948 to the present are included in this list. The town of Seattle was incorporated a second time on December 2, 1869, with a new city charter that established the position of mayor. Henry A. Atkins was appointed the first mayor of Seattle by the Territorial Legislature, and was elected to the office on July 11, 1870. [9][10] Katie Wilson is the mayor of Seattle, Washington. She assumed office on January 1, 2026. Her current term ends on December 31, 2029. Though the mayoral position in Seattle is nonpartisan, Wilson is a Democrat and describes herself as a democratic socialist. [1] First-term Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell conceded his reelection fight to progressive activist Katie Wilson on Thursday, handing another victory to leftist Democrats around the country frustrated. Mayor Katie B. Wilson was elected the 58th mayor of Seattle in 2025. Learn more about her background and priorities. Her age aligns her with a new generation of leadership focused on transit equity, affordable housing, and working-family policy reforms. As Seattle’s newly elected mayor, her 43 years bring both fresh perspective and seasoned activism to the city’s challenges. Self-proclaimed socialist Katie Wilson — who is still financially supported by her New York parents at 43 years old — will be the next mayor of Seattle, overseeing a budget close to $9 billion. Katherine Barrett Wilson[1] (born July 12, 1982) is an American politician, activist, community organizer and writer who is the mayor of Seattle. [2] Wilson is the co-founder and executive director of the Transit Riders Union.