Keith D. Wilson (born 1963)[1] is an American businessman, nonprofit executive, and Democratic politician who is serving as the 54th mayor of Portland, Oregon after winning the 2024 election.[2][3]
Keith Wilson | |
|---|---|
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| 54th Mayor of Portland | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Ted Wheeler |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1963 (age 61–62) Portland, Oregon, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Katherine Wilson |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Portland Community College Oregon State University (BA) University of Portland (MBA) |
He is the president and chief executive officer of Titan Freight Systems.[4]
Early life and career
editWilson was born and raised in Portland, Oregon.[5] He and his six siblings grew up in a low-income household in North Portland.[6] Wilson graduated from Roosevelt High School before attending Portland Community College (PCC) and Oregon State University (OSU).[4] He later received a Master of Business Administration degree at the University of Portland.[4]
After attending PCC and OSU, Wilson moved to New York City to work for NBC in the sales department. He was homeless for a short time, living in LaGuardia Airport. In 1990, he returned to Portland to help his father run the family company.[4] In 1998, Wilson merged his father's two companies into one, Titan Freight Systems.[4] Wilson is also the founder of Shelter Portland, a nonprofit organization seeking to end homelessness.[7]
Political career
editIn 2020, Wilson ran for Portland City Council in an attempt to unseat incumbent Chloe Eudaly. He lost the primary election, and the seat was eventually won by Mingus Mapps.[8][better source needed] After his defeat, Wilson self-funded multiple trips to various cities and countries around the world in order to talk with experts on homelessness.[4]
Wilson was a delegate to the 2024 Democratic National Convention and was a member of the Platform Committee.[9]
Mayor of Portland
editOn June 12, 2024, Wilson announced his intention to run for mayor of Portland in the 2024 election.[10] Part of his campaign promises is to completely end unsheltered homelessness in Portland.[11][12] On election night, November 5, 2024, Wilson had an early lead. He and city commissioner Carmen Rubio advanced past the first few rounds of tabulation.[13] The next day, most news agencies called the race for Wilson and Rubio conceded.[14]
According to The Oregonian, "Wilson's pitch to tackle homelessness, crime and livability — top concerns with Portland voters — came with a full-throated insistence they can be remedied with care and compassion. He made the audacious pledge to largely end unsheltered homelessness within a year the crux of his campaign."[15] He has proposed increasing the number of walk-in emergency shelters in existing churches and other community spaces.[6][16]
Personal life
editWilson is married to Katherine and has two children, Lilianna and Noah.[17]
Electoral history
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Keith Wilson | 83,662 Final: 122,211 |
35.09% Final: 60.98% | |
| Nonpartisan | Carmen Rubio | 50,706 Final: 78,203 |
21.27% Final: 39.02% | |
| Nonpartisan | Rene Gonzalez | 44,087 | 18.49% | |
| Nonpartisan | Mingus Mapps | 31,366 | 13.15% | |
| Nonpartisan | Liv (Viva) Østhus | 13,812 | 5.79% | |
| Nonpartisan | Josh Leake | 1,693 | 0.71% | |
| Nonpartisan | Durrell Kinsey Bey | 1,689 | 0.71% | |
| Nonpartisan | Sharon Nasset | 1,650 | 0.69% | |
| Nonpartisan | Martin Ward | 1,569 | 0.66% | |
| Nonpartisan | Michael O'Callaghan | 1,394 | 0.58% | |
| Nonpartisan | Michael Hayes | 1,327 | 0.56% | |
| Nonpartisan | Alexander Landry Neely | 1,278 | 0.54% | |
| Nonpartisan | James Macdonald | 737 | 0.31% | |
| Nonpartisan | Dustin Witherspoon | 693 | 0.29% | |
| Nonpartisan | Shei'Meka (BeUtee) As-Salaam | 625 | 0.26% | |
| Nonpartisan | Saadiq Ali | 563 | 0.24% | |
| Nonpartisan | Yao Jun He | 550 | 0.23% | |
| Nonpartisan | Write In | 481 | 0.20% | |
| Nonpartisan | James Atkinson IV | 332 | 0.14% | |
| Nonpartisan | Michael Necula | 229 | 0.10% | |
| Total votes | 119,222 | 100 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Chloe Eudaly (incumbent) | 65,142 | 31.3% | |
| Nonpartisan | Mingus Mapps | 59,603 | 28.6% | |
| Nonpartisan | Sam Adams | 57,738 | 27.7% | |
| Nonpartisan | Keith Wilson | 10,868 | 5.2% | |
| Nonpartisan | Seth Woolley | 8,346 | 4.0% | |
| Nonpartisan | Kevin McKay | 3,318 | 1.6% | |
| Nonpartisan | Robert MacKay | 1,519 | 0.7% | |
| Nonpartisan | Aaron Fancher | 1,056 | 0.5% | |
| Nonpartisan | Write-ins | 820 | 0.4% | |
| Total votes | 208,410 | 100 | ||
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Meet Mayor Keith Wilson | Portland.gov". www.portland.gov. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
- ^ Kavanaugh, Shane Dixon (November 7, 2024). "Keith Wilson, businessman and political outsider, elected mayor of Portland". The Oregonian. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
- ^ Anthony Macuk (November 6, 2024). "Portland mayoral race called for Keith Wilson; Carmen Rubio concedes". KGW.
- ^ a b c d e f "Mayoral Candidate Keith Wilson Is Indefatigable. But His Ambition Could Be His Downfall". Willamette Week. August 21, 2024. Archived from the original on September 14, 2024. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
- ^ "Meet Keith Wilson, candidate for Portland mayor". opb. Archived from the original on December 17, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ a b "Mayoral Candidate Keith Wilson Is Indefatigable. But His Ambition Could Be His Downfall". Willamette Week. August 21, 2024. Archived from the original on September 14, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ "Mayoral candidate Keith Wilson says he can end unsheltered homelessness. Critics raise doubts". The Oregonian. October 12, 2024. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
- ^ "Keith Wilson". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
- ^ "2024 Democratic National Convention Delegation". Democratic Party of Oregon. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
- ^ "Register of City Candidates - November 2024 General Election". www.portland.gov. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
- ^ Wilson, Keith (June 30, 2022). "My View: Unsheltered homelessness crisis can be solved". Portland Tribune. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
- ^ "'I'm taking action': Portland mayoral candidate Keith Wilson claims he will end unsheltered homelessness in 1 year if elected". KGW. March 21, 2024. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
- ^ "Keith Wilson Takes Early Lead in Mayor's Race". Willamette Week. November 6, 2024. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
- ^ "Portland mayoral race called for Keith Wilson; Carmen Rubio concedes". kgw.com. November 6, 2024. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
- ^ Shane Dixon, Kavanaugh (November 7, 2024). "Keith Wilson, businessman and political outsider, elected mayor of Portland". The Oregonian. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ "In Portland, Oregon, political outsider Keith Wilson elected mayor after homelessness-focused race". AP News. November 7, 2024. Archived from the original on November 27, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ "Keith Wilson Donated Widely to Other Candidates, Many of Whom Also Gave to Him". Willamette Week. October 25, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.