Katie Wilson and Mayor Bruce Harrell neck-in-neck ahead of primaries

By Hannah Saunders

Seattle primaries are a day away, and a sticker that says “Fuck you, Bruce” was recently spotted on a crosswalk sign, highlighting the strong desire for leadership change in the city. The Northwest Progressive Institute (NPI) recently released its July 2025 Civic Heartbeat survey data, and Mayor Bruce Harrell and challenger Katie Wilson are neck-in-neck.

Visualization of NPI’s July 2025 Seattle Civic Heartbeat general election mayoral finding, showing challenger Katie Wilson with a symbolic lead over incumbent Bruce Harrell that is within the survey’s 4.1% modeled margin of error (NPI graphic)

“The other six candidates running received no meaningful support in the survey, which suggests voters are coalescing behind the frontrunners in the voting that’s now taking place across the Emerald city,” NPI said.

Visualization of NPI’s July 2025 Seattle Civic Heartbeat Top Two mayoral finding, showing incumbent Bruce Harrell and challenger Katie Wilson dominating an eight candidate field (NPI graphic)

There’s been much excitement about Wilson this campaign season due to her progressive approaches towards affordable housing and transportation, as well as plans to fill in federal funding gaps for SNAP and more that are caused by the Trump regime. Wilson also has a proven track record of accomplishments, like working to raise the minimum wage in unincorporated King County, Tukwila, and Burien. Meanwhile, Harrell is laden with scandals and even has a website dedicated to them.