Full Breakdown
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson’s Favorability Plummets as Public-Safety Concerns Mount
8/21/2026, 12:13:52 PM
Poll Shows Sharp Decline in Mayor’s Favorability
A recent online survey of 500 registered Seattle voters, commissioned by the Seattle Metro Chamber and conducted in early August, found Wilson’s favorability at 37 %, down 20 percentage points from April’s 56 % rating. Unfavorable views rose to 62 %. Respondents gave the mayor’s administration a “D” or “D+” on six public-safety issues, including crime reduction, homeless-camp management, drug-use mitigation, and the city’s response to the July “Bite of Seattle” mass shooting.
Poll Methodology and Political Context
The poll was conducted by Fulcrum Strategy Group using text-to-web and email-to-web responses, weighted to match Seattle’s registered-voter demographics. The same survey also rated the City Council at 41 % favorable and the Seattle Police Department at 56 %, both largely unchanged since April. A recall effort has been launched against Wilson; a court hearing is set for later this month, and supporters would have 180 days to collect roughly 69,000 signatures if the effort proceeds.
Mayor Wilson’s Official Response
She also noted an ongoing audit of the city’s CCTV system, with results expected around the end of September, framing the audit as a decision point for future surveillance policy.
City Council and Community Initiatives
Councilmember Maritza Rivera interpreted the poll as a clear demand for action, supporting a two-year, $418,000 partnership with the National Network for Safe Communities to implement a focused-deterrence strategy that has reportedly cut gun violence by 40-60 % in other cities. Rivera linked the push directly to the July mass shooting and broader public-safety frustrations.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Anyone can do a poll, so people can look at the poll and interpret what they want,” — Katie Wilson, seattle mayor
- “I think there are a lot of concerns right now about public safety, which I understand,” — Katie Wilson, seattle mayor
- “Just four months ago, the mayor's favorable was at 56 percent. It's now at 37 percent,” — Andrew Thibault, of Fulcrum Strategy Group
- “I think the poll is the public saying they want to see action on public safety,” — City Councilmember Maritza Rivera
