Democratic city council members who previously supported Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson’s approach are now expressing serious concerns about the departure of businesses from large cities across the U.S.
This situation is particularly evident in states like Washington and New York, where companies are relocating to more business-friendly red states. For instance, Seattle’s Starbucks has announced significant expansions in Nashville while laying off employees at its Seattle headquarters, raising questions about the local business climate and economic viability.
Mayor Wilson, known for her socialist views, recently made headlines by downplaying the departure of billionaires and business executives, claiming that the narrative is overstated and joking, “Who’s leaving? Goodbye.”
Just months into his term, Democratic Representative Rob Saka from Seattle acknowledged his worries, stating, “I’m very concerned. This is real.”
Starbucks plans to shift 2,000 corporate positions, primarily in IT and supply chain, to Nashville. Additionally, it recently laid off another 61 workers from its Seattle office as part of a corporate restructuring.
Meanwhile, Washington state officials have faced criticism for introducing a “millionaire tax,” signed into law by Democratic Governor Bob Ferguson. This 9.9% income tax targets households earning over $1 million annually, with progressives supporting it and conservatives opposing it.
Starbucks is not alone in feeling the impact of state economic policies. The Columbia Tower Club, a well-known business venue in Seattle, closed after four decades, attributing its decision to reduced office traffic and a decline in downtown activity due to remote work and rising vacancy rates. Critics have highlighted this closure as a signal of waning business confidence in Seattle.
On Monday, Washington state Republicans criticized both Mayor Wilson and the City Council. They remarked that the mayor appears more concerned with promotional events than with addressing significant capital flight from the city.
This comment references an event where Wilson promoted new public restrooms downtown, which drew criticism given the existing concerns about Seattle’s economy.
Wilson’s flippant response—”Goodbye”—elicited cheers from some attendees but also backlash online from conservatives who condemned her economic strategies. One commentator expressed a dire sentiment about the city’s future, remarking, “We are doomed,” in reaction to Wilson’s remarks.
Further criticism came from a Republican, who asserted that Wilson is unqualified for her role as mayor and suggested it might be her who should leave Seattle.
Fox News Digital has sought further comments from both Saka and Wilson.
