| Keith Wilson | |
| Office: | Mayor-elect of Portland |
| Term Start: | January 1, 2025 |
| Succeeding: | Ted Wheeler |
| Predecessor: | Ted Wheeler |
| 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.
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). He later received a Master of Business Administration degree at the University of Portland.[6]
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. In 1998, Wilson merged his father's two companies into one, Titan Freight Systems. Wilson is also the founder of Shelter Portland, a nonprofit organization seeking to end homelessness.[7]
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] After his defeat, Wilson self-funded multiple trips to various cities and countries around the world in order to talk with experts on homelessness.
Wilson was a delegate to the 2024 Democratic National Convention and was a member of the Platform Committee.[9]
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.[16]
Wilson is married and has two children.[17]