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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.

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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.

Democrat vs. Democrat

Politics, This Washington   May 6, 2010 at 6:25 pm Josh Feit

Challenge in N. Seattle: David Frockt

North Seattle Democrat David Frockt is doing something the Democratic establishment isn’t very keen on: He’s running against a Democratic incumbent, state Sen. Ken Jacobsen (D-46, N. Seattle).

The last time an incumbent Democrat in the state legislature was challenged by a Democrat was when disgruntled unions pushed  lefty Alice Woldt against the conservative-ish House Appropriations Committee Chair, former Rep. Helen Sommers (D-36, Seattle) in 2004. Sommers won.

Frockt, 41, an attorney for victims of asbestos negligence with local firm Bergman, Draper, Frockt, dropped by PubliCola’s offices today between doorbelling and fundraising. (This is a serious campaign. Frockt has already raised $42,000, mostly from colleagues and friends, and he’s hired professional fundraiser Colby Underwood.)

When I asked about the reaction from from Democratic party insiders, Frockt said, “I’m not getting as much blowback as I thought I’d get.”  However, he says he doesn’t expect any support from the Democratic team.

The big Democratic majorities in Olympia have disappointed their liberal base in Seattle over the past several years and Frockt is well-informed on this session’s latest round of letdowns.

Oil industry profits shouldn’t have “surpassed the public interest,” Frockt says, criticizing Democrats for failing to raise the hazardous substance tax to pay for stormwater clean up. (Jacobsen chairs the Natural Resources Committee.)

He also thought it was a no-brainer for Democrats to end a $50 million exemption on big banks this year, a proposal that failed, even as Democrats were struggling to find new revenue to close a $2.6 billion shortfall.

Finally, Frockt’s disappointed that the Democratic Senate even considered raising the sales tax—a push that forced the legislature into a lengthy special session before they dropped the idea and went with the House’s sin tax package, which Frockt favored. However, Frockt’s footnote: He wasn’t crazy about the B&O tax increases, and he strongly favors Bill Gates Sr.’s current voter initiative to tax high-incomes and get rid of B&O taxes on most small businesses.

Of course, he focuses his critique on Jacobsen who he indicts for being “out of sync with the district.” On Frockt’s list: Jacobsen voted against the 2009 education reform bill; Jacobsen voted for rolling back I-937—the voter-approved renewable energy initiative; and Jacobsen voted against regulating payday loans.

It wasn’t a lengthy interview—and we’ll definitely be talking to Jacobsen as the race heats up. But the point is: We believe it will.




  • Rover

    But what about the really important issue, dogs in bars?

  • geologic

    jacobsen also was one of the seattle five who voted FOR screwing seattle taxpayers over with the tunnel cost overrun provision

  • Pine Grove

    Does Frockt have a web site? Is there any daylight between him and Jacobsen on transportation issues?

  • http://manywordsforrain.blogspot.com/ Mr. Baker

    And when your liver gives out does he support the idea of having fido buried with you?

  • http://manywordsforrain.blogspot.com/ Mr. Baker

    I guessed at http://www.davidfrockt.com and there it was.

  • louploup

    In 2004 Sommers got 51.61% and Woldt got 48.38%. A thousand vote spread. Close enough to scare the heck out of Sommers, I suspect.

  • Dem watcher

    I just have to question the sanity (and motives) of a guy who writes his own campaign a personal check for $60k.

    It is a big problem when elected office is only available to millionaires who can buy the seat.

  • Charles

    Where did you get that $60K figure from? Josh didn't mention it in his article. I guess he didn't think it mattered. I mean, if all Frockt was doing was talking about how much money he's raised, that might be something semi-interesting, but he actually has a serious case against Jacobsen.

    Moreover, I really don't get this “millionaires who can buy the seat” stuff that always comes up when people invest their own money in their campaign. First of all, we've had many successful legislators who have also put their money where their feet are– Maria Cantwell, anyone? Secondly, nobody wins a campaign against an entrenched incumbent who has access to truckloads of special interest money on $25 donations alone. Thirdly, if the most recent mayoral election taught us anything it's that money alone doesn't work. And Frockt, by all accounts, is putting in the sweat equity to win this campaign. Look at his Facebook page– the man is doorbelling hard every day and posting pictures and stories to prove it.

    Maybe you'd prefer to save your money and spend it on a big vacation or a home remodel or buying Star Wars collectibles on Ebay. This guy is running for public office, to earn a crappy salary, and deal with cranky constituents. He has to overcome someone who has the natural advantage of having been on the ballot since 1982. It's going to cost. He's raising money from supporters. He's probably not going to get any of the corporate or PAC money that his opponent, who has a generation's worth of statewide contacts to call on, will. And seriously, what's worse– taking a donation from an oil company and then voting against legislation that would impact that company, or putting your own money into your own campaign? Some perspective, please.

  • phranc68

    David is a serious candidate worthy of our attention. Jacobsen is a nice guy and a good person. But his time is done, he has no serious positions on any major issue facing Seattle. He is just biding his time because he does not have anything better to do.

    Dogs in bars is great and all, but we have bigger issues to tackle. I hope Mr. Frockt is up to the challenge.

  • http://michaelmaddux.blogspot.com/ Michael M.

    Also, if there was a top-two in 2004, Woldt probably would have won in the general.

    And you forgot about the 38th, where former Everett City Councilmember and recently appointed State Rep. David Simpson was tossed out in the primary by SnoCo Labor Council Secretary (I think Secretary) Mike Sells, in the primary. That was also in 2004, and was pushed by Democrats in Olympia.

  • Brent

    Sen. Jacobsen sponsored the bill to cut cities out from having a say in state highway projects. What was he thinking? … that we wouldn't notice?

    Toss this guy out, please! Go David! Thanks for running!