Keith D. Wilson is an American businessman, nonprofit executive, and Democratic politician who is currently the Mayor-elect of Portland, Oregon after winning the 2024 election.[1][2]
Keith Wilson | |
---|---|
Mayor-elect of Portland, Oregon | |
Elect | |
Assuming office January 1, 2025 | |
Succeeding | Ted Wheeler |
Personal details | |
Political party | Democratic |
Education | University of Portland Oregon State University Portland Community College |
He is the president and chief executive officer of Titan Freight Systems.
Education
editWilson graduated from Roosevelt High School before attending Portland Community College (PCC) and Oregon State University (OSU).[3] He later received his Master of Business Administration degree at the University of Portland.[3]
Career
editAfter 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.[3] In 1998, Wilson merged his father's two companies into one, Titan Freight Systems. Titan became the first trucking company in Oregon to operate with a completely fossil fuel-free fleet.[3] Wilson is also the founder of Shelter Portland, a nonprofit organization seeking to end homelessness.[4]
Politics
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.[5] After his defeat, Wilson self-funded multiple trips to various cities and countries around the world in order to talk with experts on homelessness.[3]
Wilson was a delegate to the 2024 Democratic National Convention and was a member of the Platform Committee.[6]
Portland mayoral campaign
editOn June 12, 2024, Wilson announced his intention to run for mayor of Portland in the 2024 election.[7] Part of his campaign promises is to completely end unsheltered homelessness in Portland.[8][9]
On election night, November 5, 2024, Wilson had an early lead. He and city commissioner Carmen Rubio advanced past the first few rounds.[10] The next day, most news agencies called the race for Wilson and Rubio conceded.[11]
Electoral history
editParty | 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- ^ Kavanaugh, Shane Dixon (2024-11-07). "Keith Wilson, businessman and political outsider, elected mayor of Portland". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ Anthony Macuk (November 6, 2024). "Portland mayoral race called for Keith Wilson; Carmen Rubio concedes". KGW.
- ^ a b c d e "Mayoral Candidate Keith Wilson Is Indefatigable. But His Ambition Could Be His Downfall". Willamette Week. 2024-08-21. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
- ^ "Our Team". Shelter Portland. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ "Keith Wilson". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
- ^ "2024 Democratic National Convention Delegation". Democratic Party of Oregon. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ "Register of City Candidates - November 2024 General Election". www.portland.gov. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
- ^ Wilson, Keith (2022-06-30). "My View: Unsheltered homelessness crisis can be solved". Portland Tribune. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
- ^ "'I'm taking action': Portland mayoral candidate Keith Wilson claims he will end unsheltered homelessness in 1 year if elected". KGW. 2024-03-21. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
- ^ "Keith Wilson Takes Early Lead in Mayor's Race". Willamette Week. 2024-11-06. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ "Portland mayoral race called for Keith Wilson; Carmen Rubio concedes". kgw.com. 2024-11-06. Retrieved 2024-11-07.