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Founded in January 2009, PubliCola is a blog about Seattle written by journalists who are dedicated to non-partisan, original daily reporting that prioritizes a balanced approach to news. Started by longtime local editor and award-winning reporter Josh Feit, PubliCola is the first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol.

PubliCola was off and running. In June 2009, PubliCola hired another award-winning journalist, super-sourced Seattle city hall reporter Erica C. Barnett.

People were afraid that blogging would change journalism. Instead, we believe journalism can change blogging. Twenty-first century journalism may look and feel different, and yes Erica isn't afraid to get cranky, but we're committed to making sure online news still delivers independent, reliable, even-keeled coverage. And most of all, we're committed to making sure the coverage sparks honest civic debate.

Bringing you cola for the people, PubliCola is named after Publius Valerius PubliCola, the alias for the authors of the Federalist Papers—the original bloggers.

The first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol and Seattle city hall, PubliCola has been called a “must-read” by the Seattle Post Intelligencer and a hot “New Media Mover and Shaker” by Seattle Magazine—which also cited our own Erica C. Barnett as the city's No. 1 news nerd.

Republicans Out Hutchison

State Sen. Mark Schoesler (R-9) sent out an email to his GOP mailing list trying to hype any good news he could find for Republicans.

His example? Susan Hutchison’s showing in several swing districts in Democratic King County.

Dear friends,

As we move toward 2010, I wanted to give you an update on how the political environment is changing in our favor.

The election results two weeks ago were a positive indicator for 2010. Republican candidates saw across the board improvements from just a year ago. Republican victories in Virginia and New Jersey signaled that national politics are largely driving this movement. Voters here in Washington affirmed this trend through decisive victories in House races in the 9th and 15th legislative districts. Further, pollster Bob Moore released a poll last week showing that if last year’s gubernatorial race was replayed in 2009, that voters would have elected Dino Rossi by a five-point margin.

Perhaps the most encouraging sign is the performance of Susan Hutchison in key swing districts in King County. Although Hutchison got just 40.69% of the vote county-wide, her performance in districts with Senate seats up next year suggests a return of the GOP to the suburban crescent and south King County. Hutchison strongly carried Sen. Roach’s district, and racked up impressive showings in six other districts currently held by Democrats.

But wait. I thought Hutchison wasn’t a Republican.




  • J.R.

    “I’m a non-partisan!”

  • J.R.

    “I’m a non-partisan!”

  • J.R.

    “I’m a non-partisan!”

  • J.R.

    “I’m a non-partisan!”

  • J.R.

    “I’m a non-partisan!”

  • Eric Koszyk

    I suppose he would say that I-1033 losing by huge margins and R-71 winning by 6% points shows that Republican activists are enthusiastic in WA state?

  • Eric Koszyk

    I suppose he would say that I-1033 losing by huge margins and R-71 winning by 6% points shows that Republican activists are enthusiastic in WA state?

  • Eric Koszyk

    I suppose he would say that I-1033 losing by huge margins and R-71 winning by 6% points shows that Republican activists are enthusiastic in WA state?

  • Eric Koszyk

    I suppose he would say that I-1033 losing by huge margins and R-71 winning by 6% points shows that Republican activists are enthusiastic in WA state?

  • Eric Koszyk

    I suppose he would say that I-1033 losing by huge margins and R-71 winning by 6% points shows that Republican activists are enthusiastic in WA state?

  • http://ithoughtathink.blogspot.com Ryan

    The 9th LD was Republican Susan Fagan v. Republican Pat Hailey. I guess he can call that a decisive victory, since 100% of the votes went to Republicans.

    But he knows this–the 9th is his district.

  • http://twitter.com/altf4ljdrama Idaho Spud

    How nice. They think they can “roll” over us with the suburban crescent.

  • http://twitter.com/altf4ljdrama Idaho Spud

    How nice. They think they can “roll” over us with the suburban crescent.

  • http://twitter.com/altf4ljdrama Idaho Spud

    How nice. They think they can “roll” over us with the suburban crescent.

  • http://twitter.com/altf4ljdrama Idaho Spud

    How nice. They think they can “roll” over us with the suburban crescent.

  • http://twitter.com/altf4ljdrama Idaho Spud

    How nice. They think they can “roll” over us with the suburban crescent.

  • Jacob

    Josh, I bet that last line kept you up all night, because you are clearly the first person to ever say that!

  • Jacob

    Josh, I bet that last line kept you up all night, because you are clearly the first person to ever say that!

  • Jacob

    Josh, I bet that last line kept you up all night, because you are clearly the first person to ever say that!

  • Jacob

    Josh, I bet that last line kept you up all night, because you are clearly the first person to ever say that!

  • Jacob

    Josh, I bet that last line kept you up all night, because you are clearly the first person to ever say that!

  • sarge

    funny he didn’t mention the 0-2 Republican scorecard in Congressional contests.

  • sarge

    funny he didn’t mention the 0-2 Republican scorecard in Congressional contests.

  • sarge

    funny he didn’t mention the 0-2 Republican scorecard in Congressional contests.

  • sarge

    funny he didn’t mention the 0-2 Republican scorecard in Congressional contests.

  • sarge

    funny he didn’t mention the 0-2 Republican scorecard in Congressional contests.

  • Jarvis

    Maybe they plan to make state races “nonpartisan” now.

  • Jarvis

    Maybe they plan to make state races “nonpartisan” now.

  • Jarvis

    Maybe they plan to make state races “nonpartisan” now.

  • Jarvis

    Maybe they plan to make state races “nonpartisan” now.

  • Jarvis

    Maybe they plan to make state races “nonpartisan” now.

  • Guest

    Susan Hutchison for US Senate 2010!

  • Guest

    Susan Hutchison for US Senate 2010!

  • Guest

    Susan Hutchison for US Senate 2010!

  • Guest

    Susan Hutchison for US Senate 2010!

  • Amy Hass

    Susan Hutchison for US Senate 2010!

  • http://ithoughtathink.blogspot.com/ Ryan

    The 9th LD was Republican Susan Fagan v. Republican Pat Hailey. I guess he can call that a decisive victory, since 100% of the votes went to Republicans.

    But he knows this–the 9th is his district.