Washington Post Slams Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson for Dismissing Wealthy Residents' Exodus

The Washington Post editorial board on Friday criticized Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson for comments dismissing the city's exodus of wealthy residents and rising taxpayer frustration over higher rates.

Nine days after winning Seattle's November mayoral election, Wilson joined Starbucks baristas on a picket line and pledged to boycott the coffee chain until their union prevailed. "The socialist will need to wait a while longer for her caffeine fix," the board wrote in a piece titled "Seattle’s mayor waves goodbye to prosperity."

The editorial pointed to recent Starbucks store closures and the company's plan to expand in Nashville, Tennessee, shifting 2,000 jobs from the Pacific Northwest. It also noted Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson's new "millionaire’s tax," which levies a 9.9% rate on annual incomes over $1 million.

With the tax approaching, former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz announced that he and his wife were moving from Seattle to Miami. Florida has no state income tax, the board observed.

Wilson, a longtime progressive activist and co-founder of the Transit Riders Union, drew fire for past support of radical policies. She once backed a "Solidarity Budget" that aimed to cut the Seattle Police Department's funding by 50%.

The traditionally liberal newspaper called Wilson "arrogant" in addressing economic concerns. At a recent Seattle University event, she rejected claims that taxpayers react badly 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 her waving to the crowd, as captured in a video. "Her arrogance is increasingly typical of the state’s political elites," the paper added.

The board cited industry leaders' worries, quoting Microsoft President Brad Smith. He said he was "probably more worried right now about the business climate in Washington than at any point over the last 30 years."

The remarks came at a "Governing Through a Progressive Lens" forum in Seattle University’s Pigott Auditorium on April 14, 2026. Wilson appeared with King County Executive Girmay Zahilay as part of the university’s "Conversations" series. She defended her socialist platform and the state's 9.9% tax on high earners. Moderators and business leaders raised concerns that the tax climate could erode the city’s revenue base. Her wave and "bye" comment went viral and sparked debate over the new leadership's approach to successful residents.