Keith Wilson (businessman)
Keith Wilson | |
|---|---|
| Mayor-elect of Portland | |
| Assuming office January 1, 2025 | |
| Succeeding | Ted Wheeler |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1962 or 1963 (age 61–62) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Portland Community College Oregon State University (BA) University of Portland (MBA) |
Keith D. Wilson (born 1962 or 1963)[1] is an American businessman, nonprofit executive, and Democratic politician who is currently the mayor-elect of Portland, Oregon after winning the 2024 election.[2][3]
He is the president and chief executive officer of Titan Freight Systems.
Early life and education
[edit]Wilson was born and raised in Portland, Oregon.[4] He and his six siblings grew up in a low-income household in North Portland.[5] Wilson graduated from Roosevelt High School before attending Portland Community College (PCC) and Oregon State University (OSU).[6] He later received a Master of Business Administration degree at the University of Portland.[6]
Career
[edit]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.[6] In 1998, Wilson merged his father's two companies into one, Titan Freight Systems.[6] Wilson is also the founder of Shelter Portland, a nonprofit organization seeking to end homelessness.[7]
Politics
[edit]In 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.[6]
Wilson was a delegate to the 2024 Democratic National Convention and was a member of the Platform Committee.[9]
Portland mayoral campaign and political positions
[edit]On 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.[5][16]
Personal life
[edit]Wilson is married and has two children.[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
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Sadiq, Sheraz (November 8, 2024). "Portland Mayor-elect Keith Wilson pledges huge shelter push in first year". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Meet Keith Wilson, candidate for Portland mayor". opb. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ a b "Mayoral Candidate Keith Wilson Is Indefatigable. But His Ambition Could Be His Downfall". Willamette Week. August 21, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ 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 original on September 14, 2024. Retrieved September 14, 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. 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.
- 1960s 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 2020 United States elections
- Candidates in the 2024 United States elections
- Mayors of Portland, Oregon
- Oregon State University alumni
- Portland Community College alumni
- University of Portland alumni