A prominent conservative in Idaho has stirred concerns among Republicans about a potential influx of liberals after sharing a photo of a vehicle sporting a Washington license plate and anti-Trump bumper stickers. Theodore Wold, who served as Idaho's solicitor general and as a U.S. assistant attorney general under Donald Trump, posted the image on X earlier this week, captioning it: 'Spotted on the streets of Boise. Washington license plate. Ready to devour Idaho after leaving Seattle in shambles.'
Bumper Stickers Spark Debate
The car displayed several stickers, including a Pride rainbow flag, a 'Resist' message, and a depiction of Donald Trump as a baby. Comments on the post reflected anxieties among conservatives, with one user stating, 'Yup. Plenty of [liberals] in the Idaho Falls area, too,' and another adding, 'Idaho is cooked, right along with Texas, Florida, and Arizona. California is helping with that as well.'
However, not all commenters agreed. One noted, 'Well I was born in Boise, lived in Eagle, graduated from Eagle High, left when I joined the military. Came back. I lean moderate left. Where you come from likely doesn't determine your politics when moving to Idaho. Both sides want the quieter life Idaho provides and more Californians moving to Idaho are very much Republicans.'
Boise: A Liberal Enclave in a Red State
Boise, the capital of deep-red Idaho, has long been a small but consistent liberal pocket. As Seattle struggles with homelessness and crime, local conservatives fear that Boise may attract an influx of left-leaning residents. Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, a Democratic Socialist, has pursued a progressive agenda that has drawn criticism from both Republicans and members of her own party.
Data from Redfin reveals that in the last quarter of 2025, over half of homebuyers in Boise relocated from other cities. Seattle residents topped the list, with a net inflow of 1,347 people from October to December. Los Angeles followed closely with a net inflow just two fewer, while San Francisco ranked third. Meanwhile, the top outbound destinations for Boise homebuyers were Idaho Falls and Hailey.
Migration Trends and Political Implications
In Seattle, more residents are leaving than moving in, with Phoenix being the most popular outbound metro. Only 3% of homebuyers moved to Seattle from other areas. Mayor Wilson has proposed 'tax the rich' policies, which have sparked debate. She remarked, 'I think the claims that millionaires are going to leave our state are super overblown,' adding, 'And the ones that leave? Like, bye.'
Seattle City Councilmember Rob Saka told the New York Times that the perception of the city being hostile to wealth creators is 'real.' Wilson has also faced criticism for her 'soft on crime' approach, supporting community policing over strict enforcement. After a shooting left two teenagers dead earlier this year, residents accused her of 'enabling criminals.'
Similar trends have been observed in other red states with growing blue cities, such as Austin, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; and Phoenix, Arizona. A Statista analysis of Census Bureau data from 2024 found that numerous blue states have lost population since 2005, while red states have gained residents.
