Newsletter
Newsletter Support JNS

Frontrunner for Seattle mayor doesn’t list her CAIR endorsement on campaign site

Katie Wilson, a self-described socialist, has also accused Israel of “genocide” and said she’s open to boycotting the Jewish state.

Katie Wilson
Katie Wilson, a Democratic mayoral candidate for Seattle, Wash., June 1, 2025. Credit: Wilson for Seattle Campaign via Wikimedia Commons.

Almost two weeks after the Council on American-Islamic Relations endorsed Katie Wilson, who beat Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell by nearly 10 percentage points in the Aug. 5 primary, the mayoral hopeful still doesn’t list CAIR among nearly 50 organizational endorsements on her campaign site.

Wilson, who is “fine with being called a socialist,” lists the American Muslim Advancement Council on her endorsement page. (JNS sought comment from Wilson’s campaign.)

The co-founder and executive director of the Transit Riders Union has faced scrutiny on the legitimacy of her endorsements after she was accused of faking an endorsement from black civil rights leader Claude Burfect.

CAIR wrote in its endorsement that Wilson “is committed to creating a Washington where justice and compassion guide every decision.”

Wilson has referred to “genocide” in Gaza, and a screenshot purports to show her saying she is open to boycotting the Jewish state, and, as Jewish Insider has reported, her comments are causing Seattle Jewish leaders to worry.

CAIR has blamed Israel for being attacked on Oct. 7. In recent days, Republican lawmakers have asked the U.S. Treasury Department to probe alleged CAIR ties to Hamas, a U.S.-designated terror organization.

Jessica Russak-Hoffman is a writer in Seattle.
Sgt. Idan Fooks, 19, was the third soldier killed in battle during a fragile ceasefire.
Washington “must first remove operational obstacles, including the blockade,” as a condition for “resolving issues,” Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian says.
A panel of judges led by the court’s Deputy President Noam Sohlberg set out a series of measures government bodies must adopt.
Michael Lotem finished a three-year tour as envoy to Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi and the Seychelles in August 2025.
Israel’s head of state has faced pressure to grant a pardon from U.S. President Trump.
Tzipi Hotovely will be filling a position that has been vacant for two years.