Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson is facing renewed scrutiny over her leadership after Washington Governor Bob Ferguson appeared to amplify criticism of her response to a deadly shooting at a major city food festival.
Ferguson, a fellow Democrat, shared a post by journalist Ari Hoffman that sharply questioned Wilson’s conduct following the July 27 shooting at the Bite of Seattle festival, where three people were killed.
The apparent endorsement of the criticism has added to the pressure surrounding Wilson, who has been mayor for only seven months and is already confronting an effort to remove her from office.
Journalist Questions Mayor’s Conduct During Emergency Call
According to Hoffman, Washington officials arranged a hurried Zoom meeting following the shooting to discuss the unfolding crisis.
Hoffman claimed Wilson declined to switch on her camera and did not speak during the call.
He later sought records of the meeting through a public-records request, but said Ferguson’s office told him there was no recording available.
Ferguson’s official account subsequently shared Hoffman’s post criticizing Wilson, prompting the journalist to express surprise at the governor’s intervention.
“This wasn’t on my bingo card for today,” Hoffman wrote, suggesting Ferguson appeared to be distancing himself from Wilson’s handling of the incident.
The post was reportedly later deleted from Ferguson’s account.
The circumstances surrounding its removal were not immediately clear.
Recall Effort Adds to Mayor’s Political Troubles
The governor’s apparent rebuke comes as Seattle residents pursue a formal recall effort against Wilson.
Melinda Jacobson and Dale Osterud are among those backing the attempt, arguing that the mayor has failed in her responsibility to protect public safety.
Jacobson told the Seattle Times that Wilson had effectively neglected a central responsibility of the mayor’s office.
“This is a big city,” she said, arguing that Seattle needs a mayor capable of handling the demands associated with leading a major metropolitan area.
The recall filing specifically criticizes Wilson’s decision to seek the resignation of Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes following the Bite of Seattle shooting.
Police Chief’s Departure Becomes a Major Flashpoint
The recall paperwork described Barnes’ removal as a rushed decision that demonstrated what its supporters characterized as poor judgment and a lack of fiscal responsibility.
The filing also argued that the decision had damaged public confidence in Wilson’s administration.
Barnes, 55, faced criticism over the police department’s handling of the festival shooting before Wilson moved to force his resignation.
His departure subsequently drew criticism from several Black community organizations, including the NAACP, the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, Byrd Barr Place and Community Passageways.
Their concerns have intensified questions about the mayor’s approach to public safety and her relationship with the city’s law-enforcement leadership.
Business Leaders Also Challenge Wilson’s Agenda
Public safety is not the only issue creating political difficulties for Wilson.
The mayor has also attracted criticism from business leaders over proposals involving a wealth tax and additional business taxes.
Critics argue that such policies could make Seattle less attractive to companies, investors and entrepreneurs.
During an early town hall appearance, Wilson dismissed concerns that her approach could encourage wealthy residents and businesses to leave the city.
When asked whether she feared Seattle could lose wealth and entrepreneurship, she described those concerns as exaggerated and responded, “And to the ones that leave, ‘bye!’”
The remark quickly became a symbol of the confrontation between Wilson’s administration and some members of Seattle’s business community.
Howard Schultz Escalates the Business Dispute
The debate has attracted the attention of prominent business figures, including Starbucks founder and former chief executive Howard Schultz.
In a strongly worded Wall Street Journal opinion piece, Schultz accused Wilson of damaging Seattle’s long-standing business culture and argued that her policies risked weakening the environment that helped companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks and Amazon emerge from the region.
Schultz argued that Wilson had positioned businesses as adversaries rather than partners while continuing to depend on their economic contributions.
He also criticized what he described as the mayor’s hostility toward employers and her suggestion that residents who disagreed with her policies could leave.
Seattle Mayor Under Increasing Pressure
Wilson now faces criticism from multiple directions, ranging from public-safety advocates and community organizations to business leaders and recall supporters.
The apparent decision by Ferguson to share a post attacking her response to the mass shooting has added another politically awkward development for the mayor.
Although Ferguson and Wilson are both Democrats, the governor’s social media activity has fueled speculation about the level of confidence within the state’s Democratic leadership in Seattle’s mayor.
