Melissa Santos
@melissajsantos.bsky.social
Reporter at Axios Seattle, with a focus on Washington state and local politics. (But also doughnuts). Formerly a state politics reporter for Cascade PBS and The News Tribune in Tacoma.
Pinned
Scoop: Ferguson's office was warned about top aide's behavior in 2019
Records show concerns about adviser Mike Webb were raised to Ferguson's staff long before Webb resigned this year.
www.axios.com
Scoop: Ferguson's team was told of concerns about top aide years before his resignation
www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waleg
www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waleg
Like, the building, or....?
It's true there's not some clear progressive majority on the City Council now, but I'm still not tracking totally what's being said here.
It's true there's not some clear progressive majority on the City Council now, but I'm still not tracking totally what's being said here.
November 17, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Like, the building, or....?
It's true there's not some clear progressive majority on the City Council now, but I'm still not tracking totally what's being said here.
It's true there's not some clear progressive majority on the City Council now, but I'm still not tracking totally what's being said here.
The national media has realized that Seattle's next mayor is going to be a socialist who has never before held elected office. Those things are true.
But mayor-elect Katie Wilson is no neophyte when it comes to local politics.
But mayor-elect Katie Wilson is no neophyte when it comes to local politics.
November 17, 2025 at 6:40 PM
The national media has realized that Seattle's next mayor is going to be a socialist who has never before held elected office. Those things are true.
But mayor-elect Katie Wilson is no neophyte when it comes to local politics.
But mayor-elect Katie Wilson is no neophyte when it comes to local politics.
Seattle-mayor elect Katie Wilson has never held elected office. But she's "no stranger to City Hall." www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waelex
What to know about Seattle's next mayor, Katie Wilson
Seattle's next mayor is a newcomer to elected office — but not new to local politics.
www.axios.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Seattle-mayor elect Katie Wilson has never held elected office. But she's "no stranger to City Hall." www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waelex
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell is addressing press at City Hall right now. He said he called mayor-elect Katie Wilson to congratulate her earlier. #waelex
November 13, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell is addressing press at City Hall right now. He said he called mayor-elect Katie Wilson to congratulate her earlier. #waelex
The race between Katie Wilson and Bruce Harrell is the 2nd closest Seattle mayoral race in history as of right now. She's the winner by 0.7 percentage points as of Wednesday's count. www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Seattle's mayoral race appears to be the closest in over a century
Katie Wilson's lead over Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell was among the tightest in city history, as of Wednesday's count.
www.axios.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:01 AM
The race between Katie Wilson and Bruce Harrell is the 2nd closest Seattle mayoral race in history as of right now. She's the winner by 0.7 percentage points as of Wednesday's count. www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Well, that's a wrap -- The Seattle Times has called the Seattle mayor's race for Katie Wilson with these numbers. She's now up about 0.7% and hardly any ballots remain. Out of recount territory #waelex
November 12, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Well, that's a wrap -- The Seattle Times has called the Seattle mayor's race for Katie Wilson with these numbers. She's now up about 0.7% and hardly any ballots remain. Out of recount territory #waelex
ICYMI: "Barring some shocking anomaly emerging, Katie Wilson is going to be the next mayor of Seattle."
Next ballot drop is at 4pm today, but few ballots remain at this point. www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Next ballot drop is at 4pm today, but few ballots remain at this point. www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Katie Wilson widens lead in Seattle mayor’s race
www.axios.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:45 PM
ICYMI: "Barring some shocking anomaly emerging, Katie Wilson is going to be the next mayor of Seattle."
Next ballot drop is at 4pm today, but few ballots remain at this point. www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Next ballot drop is at 4pm today, but few ballots remain at this point. www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Deleted a previous tweet on recount math, as I miscalculated something while looking at a page that hadn't refreshed properly! It's true that Wilson is very narrowly in recount territory, although that still could change. Also still true that it's wide margin that would be unlikely to reverse
November 12, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Deleted a previous tweet on recount math, as I miscalculated something while looking at a page that hadn't refreshed properly! It's true that Wilson is very narrowly in recount territory, although that still could change. Also still true that it's wide margin that would be unlikely to reverse
And now in the Seattle mayor's race, Katie Wilson is ahead by 91 votes, out of more than 267,000 ballots counted so far. www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waelex
November 11, 2025 at 12:58 AM
And now in the Seattle mayor's race, Katie Wilson is ahead by 91 votes, out of more than 267,000 ballots counted so far. www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waelex
Katie Wilson now leads Bruce Harrell by... 91 votes in the race for Seattle mayor. #waelex
Katie WIlson has barely overtaken incumbent Bruce Harrell in the Seattle mayor's race, per the latest count on Monday.
She has 49.83% to Bruce Harrell's 49.79%
She has 49.83% to Bruce Harrell's 49.79%
November 10, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Katie Wilson now leads Bruce Harrell by... 91 votes in the race for Seattle mayor. #waelex
Katie WIlson has barely overtaken incumbent Bruce Harrell in the Seattle mayor's race, per the latest count on Monday.
She has 49.83% to Bruce Harrell's 49.79%
She has 49.83% to Bruce Harrell's 49.79%
November 10, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Katie WIlson has barely overtaken incumbent Bruce Harrell in the Seattle mayor's race, per the latest count on Monday.
She has 49.83% to Bruce Harrell's 49.79%
She has 49.83% to Bruce Harrell's 49.79%
Why did Seattle mayoral candidate Katie Wilson go from being down 8 points the day after the election, to less than 2 points by Friday? A look at how late ballots in Seattle trend left as counting goes on: www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waelex
Why Seattle's elections often swing left during later counts
Younger Seattleites tend to vote late — a dynamic that's shaping the mayor's race.
www.axios.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Why did Seattle mayoral candidate Katie Wilson go from being down 8 points the day after the election, to less than 2 points by Friday? A look at how late ballots in Seattle trend left as counting goes on: www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waelex
The Seattle mayor's race is "on the knife's edge" right now. Here's why left-lane candidates like Katie Wilson see these kinds of gains as counting goes on: www.axios.com/local/seattl... #w
Why Seattle's elections often swing left during later counts
Younger Seattleites tend to vote late — a dynamic that's shaping the mayor's race.
www.axios.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:27 AM
The Seattle mayor's race is "on the knife's edge" right now. Here's why left-lane candidates like Katie Wilson see these kinds of gains as counting goes on: www.axios.com/local/seattl... #w
Day 4 of counting and fairly notable jump for Katie Wilson today. Now only less than 2 points separate her and Harrell. He's at 50.74% and she's at 48.86%. #waelex
November 7, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Day 4 of counting and fairly notable jump for Katie Wilson today. Now only less than 2 points separate her and Harrell. He's at 50.74% and she's at 48.86%. #waelex
I forgot I wrote this last year. Still applies www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Why ballot counting takes so long in Washington state
In some races, election night results can change dramatically over several days.
www.axios.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:02 PM
I forgot I wrote this last year. Still applies www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Wilson gained a fair amount on Day 3 of ballot counting. Harrell now leads her by about 5.7 percentage points, versus about 8.1 points yesterday. She has 46.93%, he has 52.64% in latest count. #waelex
November 7, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Wilson gained a fair amount on Day 3 of ballot counting. Harrell now leads her by about 5.7 percentage points, versus about 8.1 points yesterday. She has 46.93%, he has 52.64% in latest count. #waelex
What I'm watching in tonight's election results in Seattle: whether progressives lead 3 centrist incumbents, including in the race for mayor, in early results.
If that happens, it's unlikely that Harrell, City Attorney Davison or Council President Nelson will catch up. www.axios.com/local/seattl...
If that happens, it's unlikely that Harrell, City Attorney Davison or Council President Nelson will catch up. www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Seattle progressives could oust mayor and top city officials Tuesday
Three top Seattle incumbents trailed in the primary — now progressives are trying to unseat them.
www.axios.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:12 PM
What I'm watching in tonight's election results in Seattle: whether progressives lead 3 centrist incumbents, including in the race for mayor, in early results.
If that happens, it's unlikely that Harrell, City Attorney Davison or Council President Nelson will catch up. www.axios.com/local/seattl...
If that happens, it's unlikely that Harrell, City Attorney Davison or Council President Nelson will catch up. www.axios.com/local/seattl...
are the Seahawks possibly going to rescue Seattle from Mariners-induced sports sadness? Could this really be
November 3, 2025 at 6:48 AM
are the Seahawks possibly going to rescue Seattle from Mariners-induced sports sadness? Could this really be
important news of the day www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Grumpy Seattle pets dress up for Halloween
They don't want to be here, but we're here for it.
www.axios.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:29 PM
important news of the day www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Federal authorities have been able to access police surveillance data in Washington state — sometimes without permission, a recent report shows.
by my @axios.com colleague Christine Clarridge:
www.axios.com/local/seattl...
by my @axios.com colleague Christine Clarridge:
www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Feds can tap Washington police networks, even without approval, study shows
A recent UW report reveals federal authorities accessed local police plate‑reader systems.
www.axios.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Federal authorities have been able to access police surveillance data in Washington state — sometimes without permission, a recent report shows.
by my @axios.com colleague Christine Clarridge:
www.axios.com/local/seattl...
by my @axios.com colleague Christine Clarridge:
www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Our Axios.com Seattle voter guide has info on everything that's on the ballot for Seattle voters -- plus details on getting a new ballot if you need one. www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waelex
What to know about Seattle's Nov. 4 election
From the mayor's seat to business taxes and child care, Seattle ballots are packed this fall.
www.axios.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Our Axios.com Seattle voter guide has info on everything that's on the ballot for Seattle voters -- plus details on getting a new ballot if you need one. www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waelex
For years I just didn't do Halloween because I wrote about politics and was always busy this particular week of the year. Now I have kids and they will not accept such an excuse. So right now I'm draping orange lights around my porch
October 28, 2025 at 9:09 PM
For years I just didn't do Halloween because I wrote about politics and was always busy this particular week of the year. Now I have kids and they will not accept such an excuse. So right now I'm draping orange lights around my porch