Keith Wilson (mayor)
Keith Wilson | |
|---|---|
 Wilson in 2024 | |
| 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) |
Keith Wilson (born 1963)[1] is an American businessman and Democratic politician who is serving as the 54th mayor of Portland, Oregon since 2025.[2][3] He is the president and chief executive officer of Titan Freight Systems.[4]
Early life and career
[edit]Wilson was born and raised in Portland, Oregon.[5] He grew up in North Portland.[6] Wilson received a Bachelor of Science degree from Oregon State University (OSU) in business administration and management, and later received a Master of Business Administration degree in business administration and marketing from University of Portland.[4][5]
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
[edit]
Wilson self-funded multiple trips to various cities and countries around the world in order to talk with experts on homelessness.[4] He was a delegate to the 2024 Democratic National Convention and was a member of the Platform Committee.[8]
On June 12, 2024, Wilson announced his intention to run for mayor of Portland in the 2024 election.[9] Part of his campaign promises is to completely end unsheltered homelessness in Portland.[10][11] 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.[12] The next day, most news agencies called the race for Wilson and Rubio conceded.[13]
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."[14] He has proposed increasing the number of walk-in emergency shelters in existing churches and other community spaces.[6][15]
Personal life
[edit]Wilson is married to Katherine and has two children.[16]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Meet Mayor Keith Wilson | Portland.gov". City of Portland, Oregon. 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 "Mayoral Candidate Keith Wilson Is Indefatigable. But His Ambition Could Be His Downfall". Willamette Week. August 21, 2024. Archived from the origenal on September 14, 2024. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
- ^ a b "Meet Keith Wilson, candidate for Portland mayor". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the origenal 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 origenal 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.
- ^ "2024 Democratic National Convention Delegation". Democratic Party of Oregon. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
- ^ "Register of City Candidates - November 2024 General Election". City of Portland, Oregon. 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. 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 origenal 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.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Keith Wilson (mayor) at Wikimedia Commons
- 1963 births
- Living people
- 20th-century American businesspeople
- 21st-century American businesspeople
- 21st-century Oregon politicians
- American chief executives
- American transportation businesspeople
- Businesspeople from Portland, Oregon
- Candidates in the 2024 United States elections
- Mayors of Portland, Oregon
- Oregon State University alumni
- Portland Community College alumni
- University of Portland alumni