Keith Wilson (mayor)
Keith Wilson is an American businessman and Democratic politician who is serving as the 54th mayor of Portland, Oregon, since 2025. He is the president and chief executive officer of Titan Freight Systems.
Early life and career
Wilson was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. He grew up in North Portland. Wilson received a Bachelor of Science degree from Oregon State University in business administration and management, and later received a Master of Business Administration degree in business administration and marketing from the University of Portland.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.
Political career
Wilson self-funded multiple trips to various cities and countries around the world in order to talk with experts on homelessness. He was a delegate to the 2024 Democratic National Convention and was a member of the Platform Committee.On June 12, 2024, Wilson announced his intention to run for mayor of Portland in the 2024 election. Part of his campaign promises is to completely end unsheltered homelessness in Portland. 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. The next day, most news agencies called the race for Wilson and Rubio conceded.
The Oregonian wrote, "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." He has proposed increasing the number of walk-in emergency shelters in existing churches and other community spaces.
On January 8, 2026, after two people were shot by border patrol agents, Wilson criticized the recent deployment of federal agents to Portland and demanded an end to immigration enforcement operations in the city until an independent investigation could be completed.