In 2025, she gained national attention after announcing her campaign for Mayor of Seattle, representing a new generation of people-first leadership. Katie Wilson was born Katherine Barrett Wilson on July 12, 1982, in Binghamton, New York, to two evolutionary biologists. 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. 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] 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. Katie Wilson is 43 years old, born on July 12 1982, in Binghamton, New York. She spent her formative years studying physics and philosophy at Oxford University before moving to Seattle in 2004 to pursue transit and housing advocacy. 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, a group that focuses on improving public transportation and workers' rights. (Credit: CNN) Seattle Mayor-elect Katie Wilson, 43, said now that she has been elected mayor and is earning more money as a result, she no longer needs to ask her parents for help to pay the. Katie Wilson is the Mayor of Seattle in 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] Katherine Barrett Wilson[1] (born July 12, 1982) is an American politician, activist, community organizer and writer who is the mayor-elect of Seattle. [2] Wilson is the co-founder and executive director of the Transit Riders Union. Mayor Katie B. Wilson was elected the 58th mayor of Seattle in 2025. Learn more about her background and priorities.