Seattle residents react as recall push targets Mayor Katie Wilson

Name: Seattleites react to recall charges against Mayor Katie Wilson
Uploaded: 2026-08-13T16:43:45-07:00
Description: A recall effort is now underway against Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, the first recall attempt against a Seattle mayor since 2020. FOX 13's Dan Griffin hit the streets to see what the people of Seattle had to say.

Seattleites react to recall charges against Mayor Katie Wilson

A recall effort is now underway against Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, the first recall attempt against a Seattle mayor since 2020. FOX 13's Dan Griffin hit the streets to see what the people of Seattle had to say.

SEATTLE - A recall effort is underway against Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, marking the first recall attempt directed at a Seattle mayor since 2020.

The petition faces several legal review steps before organizers can officially begin gathering signatures from voters.

Seattle residents express frustration over city leadership

What they're saying:

Reactions to the potential recall vary across Seattle neighborhoods, with several residents voicing frustration over public safety and city management.

Elizabeth White, a lifelong Central District resident who has lived in the same home for 74 years, questioned the administration's direction.

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Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson recall charges: What to know

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Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson recall charges: What to know

Two people in Seattle have submitted a petition to recall Mayor Katie Wilson, alleging she has "neglected her legal duty to maintain public safety and peace."

"You get rid of the police chief, but where are you at? You don't need to be sitting there either," White said. "I'm waiting to see do I need to step in and try and help with that because she's not doing what she said she's going to do, and if you can't do what you said you're going to do, you need to step back."

In the Chinatown-International District, restaurant owner Henry Ku noted that public safety concerns in his area remain severe.

"You can see my back. You know? Even worse than before," Ku said. "We as citizens, we only wish [that] we have a clean, beautiful city and safety. What [do] you give to us? So simple. Proof. Show us what you can do."

Mixed support across city neighborhoods

In Queen Anne, resident Lars Mattsson supported the effort to remove the mayor from office.

"I'm happy with it. I really think it's a good idea. I don't think she should have been elected in the first place," Mattsson said.

While several residents declined to speak on camera due to the politically charged nature of the topic, Mayor Wilson continues to hold support in the city.

Some praised her performance and noted they would vote for her again, while critics insist the city needs a change in leadership.

Recall charges target public safety and management decisions

According to King County Elections documents, the pair behind the recall push cited multiple grievances regarding municipal leadership and public safety.

Key issues highlighted in the filing include the removal of Police Chief Shon Barnes during the investigation into the Bite of Seattle shooting, the city's handling of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, and unaddressed crime in the North Aurora neighborhood and the Chinatown-International District.