Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson told wealthy residents thinking about leaving the city to basically hit the bricks. Now Starbucks is investing $100 million in Nashville and nearly one in four Washington employers are eyeing the exit. Funny how that works.
As The American Tribune reported, the Democratic socialist mayor who took office in January is watching Seattle's business community do exactly what she dared them to do. During an April event at Seattle University, Wilson said, "I think the claims that millionaires are going to leave our state are, like, super overblown." She then literally waved goodbye and added, "And if—the ones that leave, like, bye." The audience laughed. The accountants at major corporations did not.
Starbucks, a company so synonymous with Seattle that tourists probably think the Space Needle dispenses lattes, announced it is building a massive new support office in Nashville. The $100 million project is expected to house 2,000 jobs over five years, including sourcing and technology teams currently based in Seattle. The company said Nashville offered better access to suppliers, a growing tech workforce, and proximity to regions where it plans to open more stores. Seattle will remain the global headquarters, which is corporate speak for "we will keep the sign up."
The awkwardness here is truly something. Shortly after winning the mayoral election, Wilson joined striking workers outside a Starbucks location and told supporters, "I am not buying Starbucks and you should not either." As KUOW reported at the time, she was actively urging a boycott of one of the city's most iconic employers. She has since walked that back, acknowledging her boycott comments "caused more harm than good" and telling Fox Business, "I want them here, and I believe they want to be here." Nothing says "please stay" quite like first telling everyone to stop giving a company money.
The broader numbers paint a grim picture for the entire state. A spring survey from the Association of Washington Business found that 24% of responding employers were considering moving their businesses out of Washington. That is up from 17% the previous quarter and roughly triple the share from winter 2025. Among those considering a move, 18% were already developing relocation plans and 6% had moved part of their operations. Another 55% of respondents were considering moving their personal residences. The survey covered 407 business owners and operators.
Seattle City Councilmember Rob Saka summed things up in a public statement: "I am gravely concerned. This is real." Which is the political equivalent of pulling the fire alarm while everyone else is debating whether it smells like smoke.
Wilson campaigned on higher taxes, expanded government programs, and stronger labor protections. She is delivering on those promises with impressive speed. The businesses are also delivering on their promises with impressive speed. The difference is they are delivering themselves to Tennessee.
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