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 .
info_outline
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 .
info_outline
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 .
info_outline
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 .
info_outline
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 .
info_outline
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 .
info_outline
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 .
info_outline
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 .
info_outline
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 .
info_outline
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_outlineOn this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Staff Reporter for Real Change and creator of the Gossip Guy newsletter, Guy Oron!
They discuss:
-
Washington's Ban on High-Capacity Magazines Ruled Unconstitutional
-
Three New GOP Initiatives
-
Boeing Whistleblower Raises Safety Concerns
-
Seattle City Councilmembers Call for Improvements to Comprehensive Plan
-
Transportation Levy Faces Scrutiny
-
Alternative Response Plans Hindered by Police Union Agreement
As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com.
Follow us on Twitter at @HacksWonks. Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at @finchfrii and find today’s co-host, Guy Oron, at @GuyOron and gossipguy.net.
Resources
“State Legislative Session Falls Short on Housing As Seattle Comprehensive Plan Process Ramps Up” from Hacks & Wonks
“WA’s ban on high-capacity gun magazines ruled unconstitutional” by David Gutman from The Seattle Times
“State GOP chair files 3 new initiatives to WA voters” by Claire Withycombe from The Seattle Times
“New Boeing whistleblower alleges serious structural flaws on 787 and 777 jets” by Dominic Gates from The Seattle Times
“Boeing’s long fall, and how it might recover” by Dominic Gates from The Seattle Times
@typewriterally on Twitter/X: At a meeting of the 34th District Dems tonight, both CM Rob Saka and Tanya Woo, when asked about the Seattle Comp Plan, say they hope Mayor Harrell improves the plan before it gets to council. "This is not Alternative 5," Saka says. "We need to do better."
Transportation Levy Proposal | Share your input by April 26
“Harrell Proposes Modest $1.35 Billion Transportation Levy Renewal” by Ryan Packer from The Urbanist
“Advocates Urge City to Adopt More Ambitious, Less Car-Centric Transportation Levy” by Erica Barnett from PubliCola
“Transportation Levy Needs to Put us on Track to meet our Climate, Safety, and Equity Goals” from Seattle Neighborhood Greenways
“Proposed Contract Kills Any Hope for Real Police Alternatives in Seattle” by Ashley Nerbovig from The Stranger
Find stories that Crystal is reading here
Listen on your favorite podcast app to all our episodes here