Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson turns heads by endorsing challengers Hannah Sabio-Howell, Ron Davis in key D‑on‑D legislative
Last edited Mon Jun 29, 2026, 02:23 PM - Edit history (1)
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has decided to urge voters in the Emerald City to support challengers to two longtime state legislators who are seeking reelection this year to the Washington State Senate and the Washington State House in adjacent Seattle legislative districts, saying that “voters are feeling a warranted frustration with the status quo, and I believe these leaders can help us to chart the way forward.”
The mayor is backing Hannah Sabio-Howell for Washington State Senate in the 43rd District, over incumbent Jamie Pedersen, who currently serves as the Majority Leader, and Ron Davis for State House in the 46th District over incumbent Gerry Pollet.
In a statenment, the mayor said:
When I ran for office as a first-time candidate last year, I was propelled by a sense of urgency to tackle the problems I saw my neighbors facing in their daily lives. Ever-rising costs of housing, childcare, and food. More and more people sleeping unsheltered on our streets and in our parks. All against a backdrop of historic wealth inequality and a cruel and hostile federal administration. I stepped up because I believed that we could do better.
I see that same energy in three candidates who are running to represent parts of Seattle in the Washington State Legislature. I’m proud to endorse Jaelynn Scott for State House LD 37, Position 2; Hannah Sabio-Howell for State Senate LD 43; and Ron Davis for State House LD 46, Position 1.
https://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2026/06/seattle-mayor-katie-wilson-turns-heads-by-endorsing-challengers-hannah-sabio-howell-ron-davis-in-key-d-on-d-legislative-races.html
Seattle mayor endorses challenger to WA Senate majority leader
The democratic socialist mayor of Seattle on Saturday night endorsed opponents running to the left of two longtime Democratic state legislators who represent the city, including the party’s top lawmaker in the Senate.
Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen said Mayor Katie Wilson told him during a meeting she requested yesterday that she would endorse Hannah Sabio-Howell, the progressive activist challenging Pedersen in Seattle’s 43rd Legislative District. Pedersen said he’d asked Wilson last fall for her endorsement, but she’d demurred.
Rep. Gerry Pollet said Wilson told him in a phone call on Saturday morning that she planned to endorse one of his primary opponents, Ron Davis, for the House seat in the 46th District, which includes much of north Seattle east of Aurora Avenue. Pollet has held the seat since 2011.
“It’s just astonishing to me,” Pollet said Saturday. “I have worked hard to support the city’s agenda, including since she became mayor.”
https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/06/27/seattle-mayor-endorses-challenger-to-wa-senate-majority-leader/