Sage Wilson, press secretary for Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, is leaving City Hall after less than seven months on the job. His departure is the latest in a series of staffing changes within the mayor's administration during its first year.
According to PubliCola, Sage Wilson decided he would be more effective advocating for progressive causes outside the mayor's office. He previously worked in media relations for labor advocacy group Working Washington and the progressive policy group Civic Ventures. His last day is scheduled for early August, and he does not yet have another position lined up. On his LinkedIn profile, he is listed as the deputy communications director.
The turnover in Mayor Wilson's office includes the resignation of Communications Director Seferiana Day in June, following a period of negative publicity. Following Day's departure, the mayor's office brought in political consultant Crystal Nicole Fincher as a temporary communications advisor and Seattle Department of Transportation spokeswoman Dawn Schellenberg to assist with media relations.
Schellenberg stated that such turnover is common in new administrations as staff settle into roles and address mayoral priorities. "It is common for new administrations to have some turnover and restructuring during the early phase as staff settle into their roles and address the priorities voters elected them to do," she said.
Mayor Wilson's administration has also faced scrutiny over other issues. In the past, she has publicly supported boycotts of companies like Starbucks, though she later acknowledged breaking her own boycott. This stance drew criticism from former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, who in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece, characterized her rhetoric as anti-business and contributing to companies leaving Seattle.
The recent departure of Sage Wilson has drawn criticism from political opponents on social media, who have pointed to the ongoing staff changes as an indicator of broader instability within the administration. Others have offered well wishes to the departing press secretary and speculated on the demands of the role.