Hacks & Wonks

Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos, running for reelection in the 37th Legislative District, argues that displacement, public safety, housing, childcare affordability, and a fundamental reimagining of Washington's education delivery system are the defining challenges of this moment. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com . Follow us on Bluesky at @...

Kelabe Tewolde is running for State Representative in the 37th District, challenging the incumbent in a race centered on housing affordability, education investment, environmental justice, and public safety in South Seattle. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com . Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAndWonks . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky a...

Silas James is running for Seattle City Council District 5 as a working-class Democratic Socialist focused on fixing failing systems. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com . Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAndWonks . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at @finchfrii and find Silas James at https://silasforseattle.com/ .

Nilu Jenks is running for the District 5 Seattle City Council seat, prioritizing affordable housing, reliable public transportation, and climate resilience. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com . Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAndWonks . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at @finchfrii and find Nilu Jenks at https://www.neighborsfornilu.org...

Ron Davis, challenging 15-year incumbent Rep. Gerry Pollet, shares his vision and priorities for the 46th district. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com . Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAndWonks . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at @finchfrii and find Ron Davis at https://www.voterondavis.com/ .

State Representative Chipalo Street is running for the open 37th District Senate seat, emphasizing his record on progressive taxation, housing affordability, reparations, and immigrant protections as the district faces compounding pressures from federal policy rollbacks and a tight state budget. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com . Follow us on...

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Erica Barnett discuss: 🗄️ Data center moratorium 🚈 Link light rail ridership soars 🕸️ The whole KCRHA situation 🫶 CARE Department proposal As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com . Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAndWonks . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at @finchfrii and find today's co-host, E...

Tatiana Brown is running for the open 37th District State Senate seat on a platform of progressive tax reform, environmental justice, expanded public safety alternatives, and community-driven governance. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com . Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAndWonks . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at @finchfrii and find...

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Jerry Cornfield discuss: ⚖️ Developments in WA redistricting case 🧑‍⚖️ WA Supreme Court races ⚔️ Impending battle to be Speaker of the House 🔍 Rep Tarra Simmons faces ethics charges 😭 Tragedy in Longview ✊ Spokane 3 found guilty As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com . Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAnd...

Jaelynn Scott is running for the 37th District House and shares her priorities, including progressive revenue, social housing, care-based public safety, and sanctuary protections for immigrants and LGBTQ communities. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com . Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAndWonks . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at @finch...

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Robert Cruickshank discuss: ☕ Mayor Wilson, Starbucks, and business lobbying 🏳️‍🌈 Seattle to declare a state of emergency to support LGBTQ refugees 🚈 Sound Transit swings the axe at ST3 projects (vote is next Thursday, 5/28) 🚲 The NIMBY drama over Bicycle Weekends on Lake Washington Blvd As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at o...

Hannah Sabio-Howell, a labor organizer and former Washington State Senate communications staffer, is challenging incumbent Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen for the 43rd Legislative District's state senate seat. The district, which covers Capitol Hill, First Hill, the Central District, and Madison Valley, is widely considered the most politically progressive district in the state. As always, a...

Washington Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen is running for reelection in the 43rd District. In this Hacks & Wonks interview, he defends his record and shares his priorities on taxes, education, child care, immigration & protecting Washington residents from a hostile federal administration. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com . Follow us on B...

Port Commissioner Toshiko Hasegawa is running for the King County Council District 2 open seat and shares her priorities, including prioritizing criminal legal reform, affordable housing, child homelessness, and resisting federal overreach. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com . Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAndWonks . Find the host, Crystal Finch...

Rebecca Saldaña is leaving the State Senate to run for the open King County Council District 2 seat. She spoke with Hacks & Wonks about her priorities, including addressing the county's budget deficit, homelessness, public safety, transit equity, and environmental justice. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com . Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAndWon...

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and David Kroman discuss: 🚧 Governor comms sign-off rule delays info flow 🧊 WA tries to gain access to privately-run ICE facility ❌ Calls for dissolution after KCRHA audit 🧒 Wilson expands free student meals and childcare 🚓 SPD Chief questions LEAD program 🛑 Judge halts law to oust decertified sheriffs   As always, a full text transcript of the show is...

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Robert Cruickshank discuss: ⚔️ Progressive Democrats take on moderate incumbents 🚈 Sound Transit 3 in crisis 🏘️ Mayor Wilson's housing proposals 💯 Katie Wilson's first 100 days 🧑‍🏫 Seattle Public Schools debates how to handle educator misconduct   As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com . Follow us on B...

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Erica Barnett discuss: 📜 Accountability law enacted for sheriffs ⚔️ Court battle starts over millionaires' tax 🏛️ Wilson town halls on shelter proposal and surveillance 👮 Cops assigned to Magnuson ↔️ Opposing views at Comp Plan hearings   As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com . Follow us on Bluesky at @...

Crystal gives a quick update on the Hacks & Wonks schedule. Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAndWonks . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at @finchfrii .

Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown has focused on protecting state residents, filing 49 lawsuits against federal actions and prioritizing consumer protection and workers' rights during his first year in office. Join us for an inside look at the often unseen work of the Attorney General's Office.   As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com .  ...

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Robert Cruickshank discuss: 😡 WA still providing driver data to federal immigration agents 🌱 New Seattle electeds inaugurated 🤨 SPOG misleads on drug policy 🥳 Mike Solan out as SPOG president 🪓 Bob Ferguson proposes an income tax – and huge austerity 💸 Inslee criticizes Ferguson's raid on climate funding   As always, a full text transcript of the s...

As Washington state braces for devastating federal budget cuts, State Representative Shaun Scott is leading a progressive revenue effort he says could protect critical services from austerity measures contained in the Trump administration's proposed budget. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com . Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAndWonks . Find the ho...

Washington State Representative Chipalo Street is entering the upcoming 2026 legislative session with an ambitious agenda that includes fixing structural problems in juvenile rehabilitation, reforming the state's regressive tax system, and protecting residents from federal overreach.  As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com . Follow us on Bluesky at...

The Transit Riders Union faces a transformation as its longtime leader prepares to become Seattle's mayor. For over a decade, the grassroots organization has built power for working people across King County. With Katie Wilson headed to City Hall, TRU is navigating a leadership transition while positioning itself to push an ambitious agenda. Wes Mills, TRU's new General Secretary, discussed how th...

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Shauna Sowersby discuss: 🌊 Historic flooding across WA 🛡️ Protecting workers from immigration raids ⚔️ Legislature's public records fight continues 📉 County plans for Trump homelessness changes 💸 New SPOG contract = bad deal for Seattle   As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com . Follow us on Bluesky at...