Only in Seattle could a mayoral candidate boycott a debate not over policy, not over principle—but over Jimmy Kimmel.
On Thursday, socialist mayoral candidate Katie Wilson announced she will not take part in the upcoming KOMO debate on October 8 unless Sinclair Broadcast Group reverses its decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live from its stations. That’s right—Seattle’s mayoral race is now being held hostage until a late-night comic nobody watches anymore gets back on the air.
“I cannot in good conscience participate in an event that will drive viewers and dollars to a broadcasting corporation that colludes, capitulates, and collapses like a house of cards under pressure from the Trump administration,” Wilson declared. She also vowed not to spend campaign advertising money on Sinclair-owned outlets and called on incumbent Mayor Bruce Harrell to follow her lead.
A Press Conference Without Supporters
Wilson’s big stand happened outside KOMO Plaza—but if you were expecting a rally, think again. No cheering supporters, no crowd, just a few staffers and some bored reporters waiting for a sound bite. Zach from KVI’s morning show walked over and reported what the rest of us could see: a sad little event with less energy than a lukewarm protest.
And the punchline? Wilson’s refusal to debate isn’t about protecting democracy. It’s about protecting herself from another bad showing. After getting pummeled in the last debate, she needed a scapegoat. Enter: Sinclair. Enter: Trump. Enter: Jimmy Kimmel.
Kimmel, if he even noticed, probably pulled a full Thanos: “I don’t even know who you are.”
Media Vouchers: “Just Like Germany!”
As if ducking a debate over a TV schedule wasn’t embarrassing enough, Wilson used her soapbox to pitch her next big idea: “media vouchers.” Modeled on Seattle’s failing democracy vouchers, her plan would give every resident taxpayer-funded coupons to funnel into their favorite news outlets.
She even bragged that “other countries” like Germany, Norway, and Japan already fund their press this way. Because, of course, when Seattle politicians need a role model, they look to Germany. What could go wrong with state-sponsored media?
Democracy vouchers were supposed to increase participation and transparency. Instead, they’re riddled with confusion, fewer and fewer people use them, and the money trail is a mess. Now Wilson wants to double down—this time by putting journalism itself on the government dole.
If you thought Seattle Times editorials already sounded like City Hall press releases, wait until the mayor is literally signing their checks.
The Irony is Rich
Even funnier: in the same breath Wilson called for people to “support local media with your dollars,” she announced her campaign was pulling its advertising from KOMO. That’s like preaching “eat local” while proudly refusing to dine at any neighborhood restaurant.
And of course, she insisted it wasn’t the journalists’ fault—it was their parent company’s fault. Because in Seattle politics, it’s never about your bad ideas. It’s always Trump’s fault. Or Sinclair’s. Or Kimmel’s ratings.
What This Really Means
Here’s the bottom line: Bruce Harrell may not be a rock-star mayor, but the alternatives are worse. Wilson’s priorities aren’t fixing homelessness, crime, or Seattle’s budget mess. They’re propping up late-night TV and designing taxpayer-funded propaganda schemes.
This year, Harrell probably survives. But next year or the year after, the radicals will find someone just as extreme—only better at hiding it. And if Seattle voters don’t start paying attention now, they’ll get stuck with a socialist who thinks the path to City Hall runs through Germany’s media model and Jimmy Kimmel reruns.
Until then, we can only marvel at the absurdity: a would-be mayor who won’t show up to debate unless her favorite late-night clown gets put back on the air. Somewhere, Jimmy Kimmel is shaking his head: “I don’t even know who you are.”
Listen to the full segment with Ari, Mike, and Zach here:
Don’t miss The Ari Hoffman Show 3-6 PM Pacific weekdays on Talk Radio 570 KVI, KVI.com, the KVI app and your preferred podcast platform.
