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In a critical editorial on Friday, The Washington Post editorial board took aim at Seattle’s socialist Mayor Katie Wilson for her dismissive remarks concerning the exodus of affluent residents and the increasing dissatisfaction among taxpayers due to rising rates.
“Just nine days after securing victory in Seattle’s November mayoral election, Katie Wilson stood alongside striking Starbucks baristas, vowing to avoid the coffee giant until their union demands were met,” the board noted.
“The socialist mayor might have to hold off on her coffee cravings a bit longer,” the editorial stated in a biting article entitled “Seattle’s mayor waves goodbye to prosperity.”
The piece underscored the evolving business environment, citing recent closures of Starbucks locations and the company’s decision to expand significantly in Nashville, Tennessee. This strategic move will result in the relocation of 2,000 jobs from the Pacific Northwest.
The editorial board also highlighted the impact of Washington Governor Bob Ferguson’s newly implemented “millionaire’s tax,” which enforces a 9.9% levy on annual incomes over $1 million.
“With the tax on the horizon, former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz announced that he and his wife are fleeing Seattle for Miami. Florida has no state income tax,” the board noted.
Wilson, a longtime progressive activist and co-founder of the Transit Riders Union, has faced significant heat for her past support of radical policies.
During her activist career, she notably championed a “Solidarity Budget” that sought to slash the Seattle Police Department’s funding by 50%.
The traditionally liberal newspaper did not pull its punches, describing Wilson as “arrogant” for her handling of the city’s economic concerns.
“Speaking recently at a Seattle University event, the mayor brushed off claims that taxpayers respond poorly to higher taxes. ‘I think the claims that millionaires are going to leave our state are, like, super overblown,’ Wilson said.
“‘And if — the ones that leave, like, bye,’” the editorial recounted, referencing a video of Wilson waving to the crowd.
“Her arrogance is increasingly typical of the state’s political elites,” the paper added.
The board warned that industry leaders are sharing these concerns.
In the piece, the board cited Microsoft President Brad Smith, who previously admitted he is “probably more worried right now about the business climate in Washington than at any point over the last 30 years.”
The controversial remarks took place during a “Governing Through a Progressive Lens” forum held at Seattle University’s Pigott Auditorium on April 14, 2026.
Appearing alongside King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, Wilson used the event — part of the university’s “Conversations” series — to double down on her socialist platform and the state’s recently enacted 9.9% tax on high earners.
While moderators and business leaders questioned whether the aggressive tax climate would hollow out the city’s revenue base, Wilson’s dismissive wave and “bye” comment have since become a viral flashpoint, fueling a growing debate over whether the city’s new leadership is intentionally purging its most successful residents in favor of ideological purity.