Sharon Tomiko Santos Makes Her Case for Reelection in the 37th
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 . Follow us on Bluesky at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at and find Sharon Tomiko Santos at .
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The Fighting 37th Has a New Contender: Kelabe Tewolde Eyes House Seat
Hacks & Wonks
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 . Follow us on Bluesky at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at and find Kelabe Tewolde at .
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Silas James, District 5 Candidate, Outlines Plans to Address Housing, Safety, and Poverty
Hacks & Wonks
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 . Follow us on Bluesky at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at and find Silas James at .
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Nilu Jenks, Seattle City Council District 5 Candidate, Shares Her Priorities and Plans
Hacks & Wonks
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 . Follow us on Bluesky at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at and find Nilu Jenks at .
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Ron Davis Challenges Incumbent Gerry Pollet in 46th District House Race
Hacks & Wonks
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 . Follow us on Bluesky at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at and find Ron Davis at .
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State Rep. Chipalo Street Seeks 37th District Senate Seat
Hacks & Wonks
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 . Follow us on Bluesky at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at and find Chipalo Street at .
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Week in Review: June 12, 2026 - with Erica Barnett
Hacks & Wonks
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 . Follow us on Bluesky at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at and find today’s co-host, Erica Barnett, on Bluesky at and on .
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Tatiana Brown Makes Case for Open Senate Seat in the 37th District
Hacks & Wonks
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 . Follow us on Bluesky at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at and find Tatiana Brown at .
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Week in Review: June 5, 2026 - with Jerry Cornfield
Hacks & Wonks
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 . Follow us on Bluesky at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at and find today’s co-host, Jerry Cornfield at .
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Jaelynn Scott Seeks Open State House Seat in Seattle's 37th District
Hacks & Wonks
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 . Follow us on Bluesky at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at and find Jaelynn Scott at .
info_outlineToday on the show Marco Lowe, Professor at Seattle University’s Institute for Public Service, joins Crystal to get in to kids returning to school this fall without having had a Covid vaccine, the impact of the Pfizer vaccine being approved by the FDA, the Supreme Court striking down the federal eviction moratorium, the incredibly slow pace of rental aid being distributed in King County, the arrival of Afghan refugees in Washington State (and how you can help welcome them!), and the tragic rise in gun violence in our area - including a shooting between a 14 and 17 year old.
As always, a full text transcript of the show is available below and at officialhacksandwonks.com.
Find the host, Crystal Fincher on Twitter at @finchfrii and find today’s co-host, Marco Lowe, at @MarcoLowe. More info is available at officialhacksandwonks.com.
Resources
“Because of COVID surge, packed TRi-Cities hospitals turning ambulances away” by Annette Cary of the Tri-City Herald, as printed in The Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/because-of-covid-surge-packed-tri-cities-hospitals-turning-ambulances-away/
“Pediatricians besieged by parents seeking COVID vaccines for kids under 12” by Ariana Eunjung Cha and Frances Stead Sellers from The Washington Post, as printed in The Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/pediatricians-besieged-by-parents-seeking-covid-vaccines-for-kids-under-12/?utm_source=pocket_mylist
“COVID-19 vaccinations increase in Washington following mandates spike in cases” by Drew Mikkelsen from King 5: https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/covid-19-vaccinations-increase-in-washington/281-1af4cc43-2d7f-4e77-a2fd-0fad28d0c4f3
“As The Coronavirus Surges in Florida, Some Vaccine Skeptics Change Their Minds” from the Associated Press and NPR: https://www.npr.org/2021/08/17/1028538495/florida-covid-vaccinations-skeptics-shots-changing-minds
“The Supreme Court Will Allow Evictions to Resume. It Could Affect Millions Of Tenants” by Krishnadev Calamur and Chris Arnold from NPR: https://www.npr.org/2021/08/26/1024668578/court-blocks-biden-cdc-evictions-moratorium
“King County rent relief still slow to reach tenants” by David Kroman from Crosscut: https://crosscut.com/news/2021/08/king-county-rent-relief-still-slow-reach-tenants
“Federal rental assistance dollars can prevent evictions - if you can navigate the process” by Paige Browning and Joshua McNichols from KUOW: https://www.kuow.org/stories/federal-rental-assistance-dollars-can-prevent-evictions-if-you-can-navigate-the-process-aef7
“Agencies Scramble To Resettle Afghan Refugees In The Seattle Area” by Martin Kaste from NPR: https://www.npr.org/2021/08/24/1030561811/agencies-scramble-to-resettle-afghan-refugees-in-the-seattle-area
“Washington is poised to accept a wave of Afghan refugees. How will they be received?” by Naomi Ishisaka from The Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/washington-is-poised-to-accept-a-wave-of-afghan-refugees-how-will-they-be-received/
“Washington Organizations Are Resettling Afghan Refugees, Here’s How You Can Help” by Mark Van Streefkerk from The South Seattle Emerald: https://southseattleemerald.com/2021/08/24/washington-organizations-are-resettling-afghan-refugees-heres-how-you-can-help/
Living Well Kent: https://livingwellkent.org/index.html
“17-year-old critically wounded, 14-year-old in custody after gunfire outside Seattle middle school” by Mike Carter from The Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/14-year-old-in-critical-condition-teen-in-custody-after-gunfire-erupts-outside-seattle-middle-school/
“Seattle police investigate 3 shootings, including killing of man in Belltown” by Christine Clarridge from The Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/man-50-fatally-shot-in-seattles-belltown-neighborhood-early-thursday/
Transcript:
Transcript will be uploaded as soon as possible.