How an 'unknown' organizer became Seattle's next mayor: 'People want to see themselves reflected in office'

The article discusses Katie Wilson's campaign for mayor of Seattle and her unconventional approach to running a campaign. Instead of relying on traditional campaign structures and staff, Wilson used a decentralized, volunteer-based model that relied on trust and goodwill among voters. The campaign's success was largely due to the efforts of hundreds of volunteers who were motivated by Wilson's values and message.

Wilson's campaign was notable for its lack of paid staff, with only three people working for her before the primary. However, as the campaign progressed, a network of organizers and field directors helped to mobilize a large and dedicated volunteer base. The team knocked on 50,000 doors in the final months of the campaign, using a training program developed by Maykovich to recruit and deploy volunteers.

The article notes that Wilson's opponent, Bruce Harrell, had a significant financial advantage, spending over half a million dollars on TV ads alone. However, this spending may have actually helped Harrell close the gap with Wilson in the polls, as undecided voters were more likely to be influenced by these ads.

Despite not winning the election outright, Wilson took 50% of the vote and won the support of many progressive voters who feel that she represents a new direction for Seattle. The article concludes that Wilson's unconventional campaign approach may be a model for future progressive candidates in Seattle, as it shows that hard-won organizing can overcome the financial advantages of more established campaigns.

The key takeaways from this article are:

1. Katie Wilson used an unconventional approach to running her campaign, relying on trust and goodwill among voters rather than traditional campaign structures and staff.
2. The campaign's success was largely due to the efforts of hundreds of volunteers who were motivated by Wilson's values and message.
3. Harrell had a significant financial advantage in the campaign, spending over half a million dollars on TV ads alone.
4. Despite not winning the election outright, Wilson took 50% of the vote and won the support of many progressive voters.

The article highlights the importance of grassroots organizing and community engagement in politics, particularly for progressive candidates who may be seen as outsiders by more established politicians. It also suggests that unconventional approaches to campaigning can be effective in overcoming financial disadvantages and winning over undecided voters.
 
I think it's pretty cool that Katie Wilson's campaign was all about building a community of volunteers who believed in her message ๐Ÿ’–. I mean, she didn't have a ton of paid staff at the start, but she was able to tap into people's goodwill and get them on board ๐Ÿค. And yeah, Harrell had some cash advantages, but it seems like that actually worked against him ๐Ÿ˜…. Wilson's campaign showed that if you've got a strong message and can mobilize a bunch of passionate people, you don't necessarily need a ton of money to win over voters ๐Ÿ“ˆ. It's definitely an inspiring story for progressive candidates who might be seen as outsiders, and it highlights the importance of grassroots organizing in politics ๐Ÿ’ช.
 
I gotta wonder how accurate that 50k door knock count is ๐Ÿค”... I mean, knocking on every single door in Seattle's like a tall order for even the most dedicated volunteers ๐Ÿ˜…. And what about all those volunteers who weren't motivated by Wilson's values and message? Did they just magically show up out of thin air? ๐Ÿ’โ€โ™€๏ธ Sources, please! ๐Ÿ“ฐ
 
๐Ÿค” This Katie Wilson's campaign is like something out of a movie - no paid staff, all volunteers! And you know what? It kinda worked! I mean, sure Harrell had more money, but that just made the whole thing more interesting. The fact that Wilson took 50% of the vote and won over so many progressive voters shows that her message really resonated with people. It's like she tapped into something deeper than just politics - a desire for change and a new direction. And I love how she didn't rely on fancy campaign structures or staff to make it happen. She just went out there and asked for help from the community, and they delivered! ๐Ÿ’ช This could be a game-changer for Seattle's future, and I'm stoked to see more candidates taking cues from Wilson's grassroots approach. ๐ŸŒŸ
 
I don't usually comment but I think Katie Wilson's campaign is super inspiring ๐Ÿคฉ. I mean, using volunteers instead of paid staff? That's crazy cool ๐Ÿ’ฅ. And the fact that she won 50% of the vote despite having a smaller budget? Mind blown ๐Ÿ˜ฎ. It shows that if you've got a good message and a strong team behind you (even if it's just a few people), you can make a real difference. I think more politicians should try this approach, not because they're trying to be cheap or anything, but because it's about connecting with the people who matter most โ€“ the voters themselves ๐Ÿ’–.
 
๐Ÿค” I'm so done with online forums like this. It's always the same old thing - a bunch of people spewing their opinions without really understanding what's going on behind the scenes. Anyway, back to Katie Wilson's campaign... ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™€๏ธ I mean, kudos to her for taking an unconventional approach and not relying on traditional campaign tactics. But let's be real, it's not like she was able to overcome the financial disadvantage of her opponent entirely. And what's up with all the volunteers being motivated by just "trust and goodwill"? Like, come on, people have agency too! ๐Ÿ™„

I'm also kinda surprised that Harrell didn't use his money to attack Wilson more aggressively. I mean, he was already spending half a million dollars on TV ads... ๐Ÿค‘ It's like, why not just go all out? But I guess sometimes being the underdog can be beneficial.

Overall, I think it's cool that Wilson took 50% of the vote and won over so many progressive voters. Maybe this unconventional approach is the way forward for some candidates. Who knows, maybe we'll see more of this in the future. ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™‚๏ธ
 
I'm loving this whole Wilson thing! ๐Ÿคฉ I mean, she went from zero to hero with her volunteer-based campaign, it's like a real-life Marvel movie. 50k doors knocked on? That's some serious grassroots organizing right there. And yeah, Harrell may have had the cash, but Wilson's message resonated with people. It's all about building that community and trust, you know?

But what really gets me is how this campaign shows that progressive politics can be accessible to everyone, not just the wealthy donors. I mean, we need more of this, you feel? Less beholden to special interests and more about serving the people. And Wilson's message was all about it, all about creating a better future for Seattle.

Of course, it's not all sunshine and rainbows โ€“ there are still gonna be tough fights ahead, especially when you're running against someone with deep pockets. But Wilson's campaign is like a beacon of hope, showing that even the underdog can win over the people. ๐Ÿ’ฅ
 
I think its cool how Katie Wilsons campaign was all about building a community around her message. Its not just about handing out flyers or giving speeches, its about getting people on board with your vision ๐Ÿค. And yeah, that volunteer base is super inspiring - I mean who wouldn't want to be part of something they genuinely believe in? The fact that Harrell's team got their ads seen by undecided voters might've actually hurt them in the end, because its not just about throwing money at a problem, you need people on your side ๐Ÿ’ธ. Wilsons win shows that if you have a strong message and a solid team behind you (even if its all volunteers), you can take down the big guys ๐Ÿš€.
 
I'm not surprised Katie Wilson lost - her campaign was too soft, just a bunch of idealistic volunteers thinking they can take on the system . And yeah, Harrell's spending paid off, it always does. But what really gets me is that people still think an unconventional approach like hers is some kind of model for other candidates. Newsflash: it won't work outside of Seattle's liberal bubble. Next thing you know, someone'll be trying to replicate this with a vegan candidate in rural Texas
 
๐Ÿคฏ So like, I'm seeing this stat where 71% of Katie Wilson's volunteers came from online platforms like Facebook and Twitter ๐Ÿ“ฑ vs 21% who were recruited through traditional channels like colleges and universities ๐ŸŽ“. It's wild to think that social media played such a huge role in mobilizing her campaign!

And have you seen the map of Seattle where 62% of voters supported Wilson? ๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ That's huge for a progressive candidate, especially considering she didn't win outright! The article says it was mainly because of her grassroots organizing and community engagement efforts ๐Ÿ’–. It's also interesting to note that Harrell's TV ad spending didn't seem to help him as much as you'd think... 57% of voters said they were influenced by Wilson's message more than any ad ๐Ÿ“บ.

Wilson's campaign was also super transparent about its finances, releasing all their data on a website ๐Ÿค. That's gotta be part of why she built such trust with her volunteers and the community! The article says that if other progressive candidates follow Wilson's lead, they might just have a shot at taking down more established politicians ๐Ÿ’ช.
 
๐Ÿค” I'm loving this unconventional campaign approach by Katie Wilson! ๐Ÿ™Œ The fact that she relied on trust and goodwill among voters, rather than traditional staff and funding, is super inspiring. And it's crazy to think about how much of a difference those 50,000 door knockers made in the final stretch of her campaign. ๐Ÿ‘ It just goes to show that when you have a strong message and values that resonate with people, they'll rally behind you even without a lot of resources. ๐Ÿ’ช Plus, I'm intrigued by the idea that Harrell's TV ads might've actually helped him close the gap in the polls... it's like he inadvertently found his own "secret ingredient" to winning over undecided voters ๐Ÿค“. Anyway, I'm definitely keeping an eye on Katie Wilson and her crew - they're definitely onto something here! ๐Ÿ‘€
 
This campaign is so inspiring ๐Ÿคฉ! Katie Wilson's decentralized approach was pure genius ๐Ÿ’ก - no paid staff, just a network of passionate volunteers who were all about the cause โค๏ธ. And it worked! 50% of the vote? Mind blown ๐Ÿ˜ฎ. It shows that when you tap into people's values and message, you can move mountains ๐Ÿ”๏ธ. I love how she didn't try to buy votes with fancy ads, but instead built a movement from the ground up ๐Ÿ’ช. Can't wait to see more progressive candidates taking note of this approach ๐Ÿ‘€.
 
So I read about Katie Wilson's campaign for mayor in Seattle and it's pretty inspiring ๐Ÿคฉ. I mean, she didn't have a big team or loads of cash like her opponent did, but she still managed to get 50% of the vote! That's amazing. It shows that if you really believe in what you're doing and can connect with people, you can win even with limited resources ๐Ÿค‘. The fact that so many volunteers got involved because they liked her values and message is also super cool ๐Ÿ‘. Maybe it's time for more politicians to think outside the box and try new things instead of just playing by the rules ๐Ÿ’ก.
 
I'm fascinated by Katie Wilson's campaign strategy ๐Ÿคฏ. She knew she couldn't compete with the big bucks, so she built a community from scratch ๐ŸŒฑ. Those hundreds of volunteers who knocked on 50,000 doors? Game-changers ๐Ÿ’ช! I love how they used training programs to recruit and deploy folks, it shows you don't need a lot of staff to make an impact.

It's also interesting that her opponent spent half a million on ads, but it actually helped Harrell close the gap in the polls ๐Ÿ“Š. It just goes to show, sometimes unconventional approaches can be the key to success.

Wilson may not have won the election, but she still made a statement and inspired many people ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ. That's what matters most - making your voice heard and leaving a positive impact on the community.
 
I gotta say, Katie Wilson's campaign is like something out of a dream ๐Ÿคฉ. I mean, no paid staff? That's just genius! And the way she built this massive volunteer base from scratch? It's like she had some sort of magic spell ๐Ÿ’ซ. But what really gets me is that it wasn't even about winning or losing โ€“ it was about spreading her message and building a community around it ๐ŸŒŸ.

And yeah, Bruce Harrell's campaign might have had more money, but sometimes that just comes across as cynical and out-of-touch ๐Ÿ˜’. I mean, who needs all those TV ads when you've got passion and conviction on your side? It's like Wilson showed the world that there's a better way to do politics, one that actually listens to people and cares about their values โค๏ธ.

I'm not gonna lie, though โ€“ it's kinda scary how effective this grassroots approach can be ๐Ÿคฏ. What if more politicians took a page out of Katie Wilson's book? It could totally disrupt the status quo! ๐ŸŒช๏ธ But at the same time, I'm just glad to see something like this happening in Seattle โ€“ it gives me hope for the future ๐Ÿ˜Š.
 
๐Ÿค” I'm loving this decentralized approach Katie Wilson took with her campaign! No paid staff? More volunteers knocking on doors? That's the kind of grassroots energy we need more of in politics ๐ŸŒŸ. And let's not forget, she still managed to win 50% of the vote and get a ton of progressive support despite being underfunded ๐Ÿค‘. I think this is going to be a game-changer for Seattle's next elections and shows that with the right message and team (i.e. a bunch of passionate volunteers ๐Ÿ˜Š), you can take on the big spenders and still come out swinging ๐Ÿ’ช.
 
I'm still trying to process how Katie Wilson's campaign was able to pull off such an impressive show ๐Ÿคฏ. I mean, going door-to-door with only a few paid staff is crazy talk ๐Ÿ’โ€โ™€๏ธ. And yet, it seems like her volunteer-based model really resonated with voters, especially the younger crowd ๐Ÿ‘ฅ.

It's also interesting that Harrell's fancy TV ads might've actually helped him close the gap in the polls ๐Ÿ“บ. I know some people are gonna say it was just a PR stunt, but maybe it was actually a strategic move to reach undecided voters ๐Ÿ’ก.

Anyway, I think Wilson's campaign is def worth studying for future progressive candidates ๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐ŸŽ“. It shows that even without loads of cash, you can still build a movement and win over the hearts (and minds) of voters โค๏ธ.
 
I'm still trying to wrap my head around Katie Wilson's campaign ๐Ÿคฏ. I mean, no paid staff? That's crazy! But at the same time, it makes total sense. People were really invested in her message and values, so they wanted to help out without expecting anything in return. And it's awesome that they were able to mobilize such a huge volunteer base - 50k door knocks is no joke! ๐Ÿ˜…

I'm also curious about how Harrell's campaign responded to the TV ads vs Wilson's grassroots approach. Did his spending really make a difference? Or was it just a numbers game? ๐Ÿค” Either way, I think this whole thing shows that there are many ways to win an election, and sometimes the unconventional approach is the one that works best.

It's also interesting to see how this might be a model for future progressive candidates. If Katie Wilson can do it with no paid staff, maybe others can too? ๐Ÿคž We should totally be watching out for more of this kind of organizing in the future! ๐Ÿ’ช
 
idk how i feel about katie wilson's campaign tho... its def got people excited about a new direction for seattle, but i'm not sure if it was just the right amount of idealism vs reality... like, 50% of the vote is sick, but also she had some crazy low paid staff and volunteers working non-stop... how sustainable is that model? ๐Ÿค”

i do think its dope that she didn't rely on traditional campaign structures, though - it shows that grassroots organizing can be a powerful force in politics. but at the same time, it's not like her opponent just gave up or something... harrell was still out there spending all that cash on tv ads. ๐Ÿค‘

anyway, i'm just curious to see how this model plays out for future campaigns... is it gonna work everywhere? or are some cities just too big/complex for it to be practical? ๐Ÿ’ก
 
Katie Wilson's campaign is totally inspiring ๐Ÿคฉ, I mean who needs a ton of staff and cash when you've got passionate volunteers who care about what you stand for? The fact that she took 50% of the vote without all that cash behind her shows that grassroots organizing can be just as effective as throwing millions at an ad campaign. It's also wild to think that Harrell's spending actually helped him close the gap with Wilson - it just goes to show how influential voter trust is! ๐Ÿค Anyway, I think this is a huge step forward for progressive politics in Seattle and we should definitely be looking out for more leaders like Katie Wilson.
 
Back
Top