Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson is walking back her earlier comments urging consumers to boycott Starbucks. Tensions are currently growing over the city's relationship with major employers. The coffee giant recently announced plans to expand its footprint outside Washington state.
Wilson is a democratic socialist who was elected last year on a progressive platform. She told The New York Times this week that her previous comments during a Starbucks worker strike were not productive. "Those comments were not productive in the sense that they caused more harm than good," Wilson told the outlet.
These remarks mark a notable shift in tone from the progressive mayor. She previously joined Starbucks workers on a picket line outside the former Reserve Roastery on Capitol Hill shortly after winning the election. She urged residents to boycott the hometown coffee chain during that rally.
SECOND THOUGHTS?
After going viral for saying "like, bye" to wealth leaving Seattle & demonizing big business, including boycotting Starbucks, Seattle Socialist Mayor Katie Wilson is now PRAISING Amazon, Starbucks, Microsoft & big donors for partnerships after many announced… pic.twitter.com/SD4wzVbbF4
— Ari Hoffman (@thehoffather) May 8, 2026
"I am not buying Starbucks and you should not either," Wilson said at the rally. She then led protesters in chants supporting the striking workers. Several unionized Starbucks workers were striking amid stalled contract negotiations at the time.
Wilson’s controversial comments have resurfaced in recent weeks. Business leaders and local officials are increasingly concerned about the economic climate in Seattle. They worry that aggressive progressive politics could drive employers and wealthy residents to other states.
These concerns intensified after Starbucks announced plans to establish a 2,000-employee corporate hub in Nashville, Tennessee. This fueled debate over whether the company will shift more operations away from Seattle. Tennessee has attracted corporate expansions by offering lower taxes and a more business-friendly regulatory environment.
Seattle City Council member Rob Saka told The New York Times he was greatly concerned about the potential implications. "This is real," Saka told the outlet. His concerns represent a significant shift from his initial praise of Wilson’s election victory.
Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz recently criticized the political leadership of Seattle in a Wall Street Journal op-ed. He warned the city risks alienating the businesses that built its economy. "Seattle’s mayor, Katie Wilson, has chosen to cast business as a foil rather than a partner," Schultz wrote.
"Her socialist rhetoric vilifies employers, even while she continues to rely on them for revenue," Schultz continued. He argued that the economic success of Washington state was built on business growth and innovation. He added that the current economic ecosystem is severely fractured.
The debate continues as Seattle grapples with tax policy disputes and affordability concerns. Washington lawmakers approved a new 9.9 percent tax on certain personal income above one million dollars earlier this spring. Critics have widely described the controversial measure as the state’s first income tax.
Wilson recently drew intense criticism for dismissing concerns that wealthy residents might leave over the new taxes. "I think the claims that millionaires are going to leave our state are super overblown," Wilson said during a Seattle University forum. "And the ones that leave? Like, bye."
Wilson has since indicated she is trying to strike a more balanced tone toward the corporate community. The mayor told The New York Times she now understands her comments will be closely scrutinized. She hopes to maintain a positive relationship with companies like Starbucks moving forward.
"I want them here," Wilson said of Starbucks, "and I believe they want to be here."
Starbucks has framed its Nashville expansion as part of a broader growth strategy. Starbucks chief partner officer Sara Kelly described the Tennessee expansion as a complement to their global presence. The company has also continued restructuring portions of its Seattle-based workforce.