Week in Review: July 4, 2025 - with Josh Cohen
Hacks & Wonks
On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Josh Cohen discuss: 🎯 WA top target in Medicaid cuts 😬 KC Assessor Wilson arrested 🚔 Barnes confirmed as police chief 💰 Possible sales tax increase for public safety 🏗️ Rinck revives Morales’ community dev program 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, Josh Cohen at .
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Claudia Balducci Details Platform for County Leadership
Hacks & Wonks
King County Executive candidate Claudia Balducci outlines her approach to the region's biggest challenges, emphasizing housing affordability, prevention-focused public safety & regional coordination. 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 Claudia Balducci at .
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Week in Review: June 27, 2025 - with David Kroman
Hacks & Wonks
On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and David Kroman discuss: 👀 NYC mayoral race hints at Seattle’s? 💰 Seattle biz tax revamp? 🚔 Pursuit GPS trackers & digital billboards 📷 License plate readers proliferate in WA 🏘️ Affordable housing industry crisis 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, David Kroman at .
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Girmay Zahilay Outlines Vision for Executive Role
Hacks & Wonks
King County Executive candidate Girmay Zahilay details plans for the region's biggest challenges, including homelessness, public safety & housing affordability. 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 Girmay Zahilay at .
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Week in Review: June 20, 2025 - with Robert Cruickshank
Hacks & Wonks
On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Robert Cruickshank discuss: 👑 ‘No Kings’ protests ⚕️ WA immigrants' health data shared w/ feds 🏘️ Housing First works well 🚍 Saka erases advocates, makes deal w/ Curby 🤑 RealPage ban delayed 🎒 School waitlists lifted 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, Robert Cruickshank, on Bluesky at .
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Week in Review: June 6, 2025 - with Erica Barnett
Hacks & Wonks
On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Erica Barnett discuss: 👋 Cathy Moore resigning 🗳️ Kshama Sawant running for Congress 😬 KC Assessor John Wilson won't resign despite calls 🚔 Diaz/Tompkins updates 🏳️🌈 WA State Patrol interrupts Pride flag ceremony 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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Jeanie Chunn Outlines Vision for Seattle City Council District 2
Hacks & Wonks
Jeanie Chunn, candidate for Seattle City Council District 2, shares her stance on housing affordability, public safety, transportation, and more while advocating for significant changes to the city's approach to public safety, housing, and budget priorities. 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 more about Jeanie Chunn at .
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Week in Review: May 30, 2025 - with Josh Cohen
Hacks & Wonks
On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Josh Cohen discuss: 🏳️⚧️ “Protect Our Kids” anti-trans rally & counterprotests 📉 Every Seattle elected = negative approval 🏘️ Seattle's interim missing middle housing 🤦 Essential behavioral health facilities stymied 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, Josh Cohen at .
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Eddie Lin Outlines Vision for Seattle City Council District 2
Hacks & Wonks
Eddie Lin, running for Seattle City Council in District 2, shares his stance on housing affordability, public safety, transportation, and more while emphasizing his government experience and commitment to community-driven solutions. 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 Eddie Lin at .
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Week in Review: May 23, 2025 - with David Kroman
Hacks & Wonks
On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and David Kroman discuss: 🖋️ Ferguson acts on state budget, parental bill of rights 🧊 Troubling ICE raids 🤓 Seattle Mayor race deep dive 🔔 Sara Nelson bellwether 🗳️ Other notable primary races ⛺️ Rushed Tent City 4 move 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, David Kroman at .
info_outlineThis week on the show we have the second half of the Consultant Roundtable, featuring Consultants Riall Johnson of Prism Consulting, Michael Charles of Upper Left Strategies, and Heather Weiner discussing the results of the primary elections, and what we can expect from the general election in November. Discussion points include the Kathy Lambert’s risks in the King County Council race, the upset in the City Attorney’s race, the possibility of having abolitionists both on the Seattle City Council and in the City Attorney’s office, the low hanging fruit that is Senator Reuven Carlyle, the frequent mischaracterization of Seattle voters as being far more conservative than they actually are, and the fact that real live Republicans exist in King County.
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, Michael Charles at @mikeychuck, Heather Weiner at @hlweiner, and Riall Johnson at @RiallJohnson. More info is available at officialhacksandwonks.com.
Resources
“Lambert leads District 3 primary for King County Council” by Conor Wilson from the Issaquah Reporter: https://www.issaquahreporter.com/news/lambert-leads-district-3-primary-for-king-county-council/
“Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes concedes primary election” by David Kroman from Crosscut: https://crosscut.com/news/2021/08/seattle-city-attorney-pete-holmes-concedes-primary-election
“Four reasons Seattle’s left will likely prevail in November” by Katie Wilson from Crosscut: https://crosscut.com/opinion/2021/08/four-reasons-seattles-left-will-likely-prevail-november
“Progressive Trend Emerging in Late Primary Election Returns” by Doug Trumm from The Urbanist: https://www.theurbanist.org/2021/08/06/progressive-trend-emerging-in-late-primary-election-returns/
“Ranked-Choice Voting Gets A Prime-Time Shot Under New York City’s Bright Lights” by Domenico Montanaro from NPR: https://www.npr.org/2021/06/22/1008807504/ranked-choice-voting-new-york-city-mayors-race
Washington State’s voter registration portal: https://voter.votewa.gov/WhereToVote.aspx
Transcript