Hacks & Wonks
@hacksandwonks.bsky.social
Political Hacks and Policy Wonks talk about state and local politics and policy in Washington state
Decoding the 2025 Elections in Seattle and WA: The Insiders' Analysis
The strategists who saw it coming explain what the pundits missed
#WAelex #SEAelex
The strategists who saw it coming explain what the pundits missed
#WAelex #SEAelex
Decoding the 2025 Elections in Seattle and WA: An Insider's Analysis
The strategists who saw it coming explain what pundits missed
www.officialhacksandwonks.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Reposted by Hacks & Wonks
We talked in detail about the Seattle elections!
On this week-in-review, @finchfrii.bsky.social and @robertcruickshank.com discuss:
🤩 Katie Wilson elected mayor!
🌊 Progressive wave across region and state
👀 What to watch out for next
🏫 Role of The Stranger school board endorsements
⚔️ Looking forward to legislative session
#SEAelex #WAelex
🤩 Katie Wilson elected mayor!
🌊 Progressive wave across region and state
👀 What to watch out for next
🏫 Role of The Stranger school board endorsements
⚔️ Looking forward to legislative session
#SEAelex #WAelex
Week in Review with Robert Cruickshank - Seattle Elects Progressive Mayor Katie Wilson
Wilson's Path to Victory, Scandal Erodes Harrell Support, Progressive Sweep Across Seattle, Tax the Rich: A Winning Message, Seattle's Progressive Pragmatism, Challenges Ahead, Wilson's Strengths, Loo...
officialhacksandwonks.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:58 PM
We talked in detail about the Seattle elections!
On this week-in-review, @finchfrii.bsky.social and @robertcruickshank.com discuss:
🤩 Katie Wilson elected mayor!
🌊 Progressive wave across region and state
👀 What to watch out for next
🏫 Role of The Stranger school board endorsements
⚔️ Looking forward to legislative session
#SEAelex #WAelex
🤩 Katie Wilson elected mayor!
🌊 Progressive wave across region and state
👀 What to watch out for next
🏫 Role of The Stranger school board endorsements
⚔️ Looking forward to legislative session
#SEAelex #WAelex
Week in Review with Robert Cruickshank - Seattle Elects Progressive Mayor Katie Wilson
Wilson's Path to Victory, Scandal Erodes Harrell Support, Progressive Sweep Across Seattle, Tax the Rich: A Winning Message, Seattle's Progressive Pragmatism, Challenges Ahead, Wilson's Strengths, Loo...
officialhacksandwonks.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:56 PM
On this week-in-review, @finchfrii.bsky.social and @robertcruickshank.com discuss:
🤩 Katie Wilson elected mayor!
🌊 Progressive wave across region and state
👀 What to watch out for next
🏫 Role of The Stranger school board endorsements
⚔️ Looking forward to legislative session
#SEAelex #WAelex
🤩 Katie Wilson elected mayor!
🌊 Progressive wave across region and state
👀 What to watch out for next
🏫 Role of The Stranger school board endorsements
⚔️ Looking forward to legislative session
#SEAelex #WAelex
Reposted by Hacks & Wonks
Just recorded a Hacks & Wonks ep with @robertcruickshank.com that’s full of election convo and it’s good!
It will be out tomorrow!
It will be out tomorrow!
November 13, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Just recorded a Hacks & Wonks ep with @robertcruickshank.com that’s full of election convo and it’s good!
It will be out tomorrow!
It will be out tomorrow!
November 12, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Reposted by Hacks & Wonks
Tonight!
Let us know what you want us to discuss!
Let us know what you want us to discuss!
Tune into the Hacks & Wonks Post-Election Roundtable for sharp political analysis of the elections with a panel of political consultants!
Hacks & Wonks Post-Election Roundtable
Tuesday, November 11th, 7:30-9:00p
Livestreaming on YouTube & Facebook
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb_e... #WAelex #SEAelex
Hacks & Wonks Post-Election Roundtable
Tuesday, November 11th, 7:30-9:00p
Livestreaming on YouTube & Facebook
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb_e... #WAelex #SEAelex
November 11, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Tonight!
Let us know what you want us to discuss!
Let us know what you want us to discuss!
Join us tomorrow night to make sense of the election results!
What questions do you want answered (besides who will be mayor of Seattle)?
What questions do you want answered (besides who will be mayor of Seattle)?
Tune into the Hacks & Wonks Post-Election Roundtable for sharp political analysis of the elections with a panel of political consultants!
Hacks & Wonks Post-Election Roundtable
Tuesday, November 11th, 7:30-9:00p
Livestreaming on YouTube & Facebook
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb_e... #WAelex #SEAelex
Hacks & Wonks Post-Election Roundtable
Tuesday, November 11th, 7:30-9:00p
Livestreaming on YouTube & Facebook
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb_e... #WAelex #SEAelex
November 10, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Join us tomorrow night to make sense of the election results!
What questions do you want answered (besides who will be mayor of Seattle)?
What questions do you want answered (besides who will be mayor of Seattle)?
Tune into the Hacks & Wonks Post-Election Roundtable for sharp political analysis of the elections with a panel of political consultants!
Hacks & Wonks Post-Election Roundtable
Tuesday, November 11th, 7:30-9:00p
Livestreaming on YouTube & Facebook
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb_e... #WAelex #SEAelex
Hacks & Wonks Post-Election Roundtable
Tuesday, November 11th, 7:30-9:00p
Livestreaming on YouTube & Facebook
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb_e... #WAelex #SEAelex
November 8, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Tune into the Hacks & Wonks Post-Election Roundtable for sharp political analysis of the elections with a panel of political consultants!
Hacks & Wonks Post-Election Roundtable
Tuesday, November 11th, 7:30-9:00p
Livestreaming on YouTube & Facebook
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb_e... #WAelex #SEAelex
Hacks & Wonks Post-Election Roundtable
Tuesday, November 11th, 7:30-9:00p
Livestreaming on YouTube & Facebook
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb_e... #WAelex #SEAelex
Trying to decide who will get your vote for King County Executive? Learn more about Girmay in this comprehensive interview
#waelex
#waelex
Girmay Zahilay Outlines Vision for Executive Role
King County Executive candidate Girmay Zahilay details plans for the region's biggest challenges, including homelessness, public safety & housing affordability.
www.officialhacksandwonks.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Trying to decide who will get your vote for King County Executive? Learn more about Girmay in this comprehensive interview
#waelex
#waelex
Trying to decide who will get your vote for King County Executive? Learn more about Claudia in this wide-ranging interview
#waelex
#waelex
King County Executive candidate Claudia Balducci outlines her approach to the region's biggest challenges, emphasizing housing affordability, prevention-focused public safety & regional coordination.
Claudia Balducci Details Platform for County Leadership
King County Executive candidate Claudia Balducci outlines her approach to the region's biggest challenges, emphasizing housing affordability, prevention-focused public safety & regional coordination.
officialhacksandwonks.com
October 22, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Trying to decide who will get your vote for King County Executive? Learn more about Claudia in this wide-ranging interview
#waelex
#waelex
As we move into the final weeks of the 2025 election, follow the candidates and see where they stand:
October 18, 2025 at 12:47 AM
As we move into the final weeks of the 2025 election, follow the candidates and see where they stand:
Reposted by Hacks & Wonks
What happens when you trust low-income families with no-strings-attached cash?
Tacoma's $500/month guaranteed income experiment shattered myths about poverty and public assistance.
#gbi #ubi #basicincome
Tacoma's $500/month guaranteed income experiment shattered myths about poverty and public assistance.
#gbi #ubi #basicincome
Tacoma's Guaranteed Income Pilot Yields Positive Results
Tacoma's guaranteed income pilot that gave 110 families $500 monthly improved employment, savings, and well-being, challenging myths about poverty. Recipients increased full-time work and showed bette...
www.officialhacksandwonks.com
November 27, 2024 at 8:07 PM
What happens when you trust low-income families with no-strings-attached cash?
Tacoma's $500/month guaranteed income experiment shattered myths about poverty and public assistance.
#gbi #ubi #basicincome
Tacoma's $500/month guaranteed income experiment shattered myths about poverty and public assistance.
#gbi #ubi #basicincome
We are looking forward to resuming Hacks & Wonks podcast episodes in October.
September 26, 2025 at 8:00 PM
We are looking forward to resuming Hacks & Wonks podcast episodes in October.
If you prefer lists, we’ve updated these too!
✅ 2025 candidates and ballot measures in WA
✅ 2025 candidates and ballot measures in WA
September 16, 2025 at 3:51 PM
If you prefer lists, we’ve updated these too!
✅ 2025 candidates and ballot measures in WA
✅ 2025 candidates and ballot measures in WA
We’ve updated our starter packs!
A list of elected officials in WA:
A list of elected officials in WA:
September 16, 2025 at 3:43 PM
We’ve updated our starter packs!
A list of elected officials in WA:
A list of elected officials in WA:
Reposted by Hacks & Wonks
I enjoyed the convo with Melissa this week!
On this week-in-review, @finchfrii.bsky.social @melissajsantos.bsky.social discuss:
💉 WA/CA/OR vaccine alliance
📵 Cell phones in schools
🧑🚒 Firefighter immigration raid = inside job
🚈 Harrell pushes light rail extensions despite shortfall
🚘 Autonomous vehicles pilot starts
💉 WA/CA/OR vaccine alliance
📵 Cell phones in schools
🧑🚒 Firefighter immigration raid = inside job
🚈 Harrell pushes light rail extensions despite shortfall
🚘 Autonomous vehicles pilot starts
Week in Review: September 5, 2025 - with Melissa Santos
WA, OR, CA form vaccine alliance amid federal policy shifts. Investigation suggests fire officials coordinated immigration enforcement targeting firefighters. Sound Transit faces massive shortfall as ...
www.officialhacksandwonks.com
September 5, 2025 at 10:08 PM
I enjoyed the convo with Melissa this week!
Reposted by Hacks & Wonks
In honor of today’s Seattle waterfront grand opening, here’s the episode of @hacksandwonks.bsky.social that @finchfrii.bsky.social, Mike McGinn, and I did back in 2023 about the fight over the waterfront and the tunnel. We particularly enjoyed recording it and hope you enjoy listening to it!
The Big Waterfront Bamboozle with Mike McGinn and Robert Cruickshank — Hacks & Wonks
On this midweek show, Crystal chats with former Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn and his former Senior Communications Advisor Robert Cruickshank about the missed opportunity for generational impact through h...
www.officialhacksandwonks.com
September 6, 2025 at 4:03 PM
In honor of today’s Seattle waterfront grand opening, here’s the episode of @hacksandwonks.bsky.social that @finchfrii.bsky.social, Mike McGinn, and I did back in 2023 about the fight over the waterfront and the tunnel. We particularly enjoyed recording it and hope you enjoy listening to it!
On this week-in-review, @finchfrii.bsky.social @melissajsantos.bsky.social discuss:
💉 WA/CA/OR vaccine alliance
📵 Cell phones in schools
🧑🚒 Firefighter immigration raid = inside job
🚈 Harrell pushes light rail extensions despite shortfall
🚘 Autonomous vehicles pilot starts
💉 WA/CA/OR vaccine alliance
📵 Cell phones in schools
🧑🚒 Firefighter immigration raid = inside job
🚈 Harrell pushes light rail extensions despite shortfall
🚘 Autonomous vehicles pilot starts
Week in Review: September 5, 2025 - with Melissa Santos
WA, OR, CA form vaccine alliance amid federal policy shifts. Investigation suggests fire officials coordinated immigration enforcement targeting firefighters. Sound Transit faces massive shortfall as ...
www.officialhacksandwonks.com
September 5, 2025 at 9:26 PM
On this week-in-review, @finchfrii.bsky.social @melissajsantos.bsky.social discuss:
💉 WA/CA/OR vaccine alliance
📵 Cell phones in schools
🧑🚒 Firefighter immigration raid = inside job
🚈 Harrell pushes light rail extensions despite shortfall
🚘 Autonomous vehicles pilot starts
💉 WA/CA/OR vaccine alliance
📵 Cell phones in schools
🧑🚒 Firefighter immigration raid = inside job
🚈 Harrell pushes light rail extensions despite shortfall
🚘 Autonomous vehicles pilot starts
Reposted by Hacks & Wonks
Concerning information from @amysundberg.bsky.social on @hacksandwonks.bsky.social with @finchfrii.bsky.social
#surveillance #police #seattle
#surveillance #police #seattle
Seattle Moves Forward with Surveillance Expansion Despite Lack of Pilot Data, Raises Federal Access Concerns
Podcast Episode · Hacks & Wonks · 09/02/2025 · 40m
podcasts.apple.com
September 4, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Concerning information from @amysundberg.bsky.social on @hacksandwonks.bsky.social with @finchfrii.bsky.social
#surveillance #police #seattle
#surveillance #police #seattle
Seattle City Council is poised to expand the city's surveillance pilot program before fully evaluating its effectiveness, raising concerns about federal access to the data amid heightened enforcement targeting immigration, abortion and gender-affirming care
Seattle Moves Forward with Surveillance Expansion Despite Lack of Pilot Data, Raises Federal Access Concerns
Seattle City Council will vote Sept 9 to expand surveillance pilot before collecting evaluation data. Program adds cameras citywide despite limited evidence of success & concerns about federal access ...
officialhacksandwonks.com
September 2, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Seattle City Council is poised to expand the city's surveillance pilot program before fully evaluating its effectiveness, raising concerns about federal access to the data amid heightened enforcement targeting immigration, abortion and gender-affirming care
Reposted by Hacks & Wonks
We covered a lot this week!
On this week-in-review, @finchfrii.bsky.social and @robertcruickshank.com discuss:
🧊 Spokane blocks warrantless ICE action
🥡 $15M Uber Eats settlement
🛒 UFCW 3000 backs Wilson for mayor
🚲 Biker hit where safety upgrades canceled
🏫 School board updates
🪧 "No Azure for Apartheid" Microsoft protests
🧊 Spokane blocks warrantless ICE action
🥡 $15M Uber Eats settlement
🛒 UFCW 3000 backs Wilson for mayor
🚲 Biker hit where safety upgrades canceled
🏫 School board updates
🪧 "No Azure for Apartheid" Microsoft protests
Week in Review: August 29, 2025 - with Robert Cruickshank
Spokane blocks warrantless ICE action, $15m Uber Eats settlement, UFCW 3000 backs Wilson, ethics investigation targets City social media activity, biker hit where safety upgrades were cancelled, schoo...
officialhacksandwonks.com
August 29, 2025 at 10:31 PM
We covered a lot this week!
On this week-in-review, @finchfrii.bsky.social and @robertcruickshank.com discuss:
🧊 Spokane blocks warrantless ICE action
🥡 $15M Uber Eats settlement
🛒 UFCW 3000 backs Wilson for mayor
🚲 Biker hit where safety upgrades canceled
🏫 School board updates
🪧 "No Azure for Apartheid" Microsoft protests
🧊 Spokane blocks warrantless ICE action
🥡 $15M Uber Eats settlement
🛒 UFCW 3000 backs Wilson for mayor
🚲 Biker hit where safety upgrades canceled
🏫 School board updates
🪧 "No Azure for Apartheid" Microsoft protests
Week in Review: August 29, 2025 - with Robert Cruickshank
Spokane blocks warrantless ICE action, $15m Uber Eats settlement, UFCW 3000 backs Wilson, ethics investigation targets City social media activity, biker hit where safety upgrades were cancelled, schoo...
officialhacksandwonks.com
August 29, 2025 at 10:27 PM
On this week-in-review, @finchfrii.bsky.social and @robertcruickshank.com discuss:
🧊 Spokane blocks warrantless ICE action
🥡 $15M Uber Eats settlement
🛒 UFCW 3000 backs Wilson for mayor
🚲 Biker hit where safety upgrades canceled
🏫 School board updates
🪧 "No Azure for Apartheid" Microsoft protests
🧊 Spokane blocks warrantless ICE action
🥡 $15M Uber Eats settlement
🛒 UFCW 3000 backs Wilson for mayor
🚲 Biker hit where safety upgrades canceled
🏫 School board updates
🪧 "No Azure for Apartheid" Microsoft protests
Reposted by Hacks & Wonks
I'm on @finchfrii.bsky.social's Hacks and Wonks podcast this week, talking about an upcoming Christian nationalist rally in Seattle, $50,000 hiring bonuses for police chiefs, Trump's efforts to end vote-by-mail, and more.
On this week-in-review, @finchfrii.bsky.social and @ericacbarnett.bsky.social discuss:
⛪ Christian nationalist rally moves to new park
🤑 Police execs take bonus meant for officers
🛡️ Trump admin targets sanctuary cities –
📮 -- and vote-by-mail
🕵️ Tacoma ICE facility must open for inspections
⛪ Christian nationalist rally moves to new park
🤑 Police execs take bonus meant for officers
🛡️ Trump admin targets sanctuary cities –
📮 -- and vote-by-mail
🕵️ Tacoma ICE facility must open for inspections
Week in Review: August 22, 2025 - with Erica Barnett
Seattle moved Christian nationalist rally to Gas Works Park. Police Chief received $50K bonus meant for officers amid budget crisis. Trump admin threatens sanctuary policies & mail voting. Court allow...
officialhacksandwonks.com
August 22, 2025 at 10:38 PM
I'm on @finchfrii.bsky.social's Hacks and Wonks podcast this week, talking about an upcoming Christian nationalist rally in Seattle, $50,000 hiring bonuses for police chiefs, Trump's efforts to end vote-by-mail, and more.
On this week-in-review, @finchfrii.bsky.social and @ericacbarnett.bsky.social discuss:
⛪ Christian nationalist rally moves to new park
🤑 Police execs take bonus meant for officers
🛡️ Trump admin targets sanctuary cities –
📮 -- and vote-by-mail
🕵️ Tacoma ICE facility must open for inspections
⛪ Christian nationalist rally moves to new park
🤑 Police execs take bonus meant for officers
🛡️ Trump admin targets sanctuary cities –
📮 -- and vote-by-mail
🕵️ Tacoma ICE facility must open for inspections
Week in Review: August 22, 2025 - with Erica Barnett
Seattle moved Christian nationalist rally to Gas Works Park. Police Chief received $50K bonus meant for officers amid budget crisis. Trump admin threatens sanctuary policies & mail voting. Court allow...
officialhacksandwonks.com
August 22, 2025 at 10:27 PM
On this week-in-review, @finchfrii.bsky.social and @ericacbarnett.bsky.social discuss:
⛪ Christian nationalist rally moves to new park
🤑 Police execs take bonus meant for officers
🛡️ Trump admin targets sanctuary cities –
📮 -- and vote-by-mail
🕵️ Tacoma ICE facility must open for inspections
⛪ Christian nationalist rally moves to new park
🤑 Police execs take bonus meant for officers
🛡️ Trump admin targets sanctuary cities –
📮 -- and vote-by-mail
🕵️ Tacoma ICE facility must open for inspections
Do you have questions you want us to answer?
🤨 Is Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell cooked?
💁 Is the King County Executive race settled?
🙅♂️ Do the 48th/33rd LD results predict what’s coming for centrist Dems in 2026?
Join our 7:30p livestream – local political strategists will discuss these Qs and more!
➡️ www.youtube.com/live/qLav1Pf...
💁 Is the King County Executive race settled?
🙅♂️ Do the 48th/33rd LD results predict what’s coming for centrist Dems in 2026?
Join our 7:30p livestream – local political strategists will discuss these Qs and more!
➡️ www.youtube.com/live/qLav1Pf...
August 12, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Do you have questions you want us to answer?