Overview
- The latest King County tally shows Wilson at 50.19% to Harrell’s 49.48%, a 1,976-vote margin that exceeds the 0.5% threshold for an automatic recount under Washington law.
- Harrell called Wilson to congratulate her and said his team is ready to begin transition work, marking one of the closest mayoral contests in recent city history.
- Washington’s all-mail system produced a late swing as later-arriving ballots, which historically lean progressive, reversed Harrell’s early 7–8 point election-night lead.
- Wilson, a first-time candidate and self-described democratic socialist who founded the Transit Riders Union, campaigned on universal childcare, stronger renter protections, social housing, transit investments and progressive tax changes.
- County certification is scheduled for Nov. 25 after a Nov. 24 ballot-cure deadline, and while an automatic recount is unlikely, a candidate-paid recount request remains possible; Wilson would take office in January 2026 if results are certified.