Savvy Moderates Join Mayor Wilson Team

There are two of things to know about Katie Wilson, who will become mayor of Seattle on January 1. First: She arrived in Seattle in 2004 and devoted her time to learning about the city and its ways. Second: She is smart and knows that she won a divided election (a mere 2,000 vote plurality) and has no mandate.

That she understands so much about the city was apparent in her choice of a large, diverse transition team. With the team’s help, she’s now appointing experienced people to her administration. Unlike Mayor Harrell with his four deputies, she selected just one deputy mayor, Brian Surratt, who once led the city’s Office of Economic Development, helped establish the city’s $15 minimum wage, and is currently CEO of Greater Seattle Partners, an economic development organization.

Councilmembers (myself among them) came to know Surratt as someone who gets things done, more work horse than show pony. Appointment of a seasoned veteran such as Surratt has cheered even those who opposed Wilson’s election.

Wilson’s other early appointments include Aly Pennucci, former City Council budget analyst, as budget director; Jen Chan, who has 25 years of government experience, to oversee department heads; Kate Brunette Kreuzer, treasurer of Transit Riders Union, for her chief of staff; and Seferiana Day, Upper Left Strategies founder and political consultant, as communication director.

https://www.postalley.org/2025/12/11/savvy-moderates-join-mayor-wilson-team/