Viva La Cola!

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.

x close
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.

State Auditor Sonntag Will Run for Governor if Gregoire Leaves

This Washington   May 13, 2010 at 11:39 am Erica C. Barnett


State auditor Brian Sonntag just told KOMO 4 News that he will run for governor if Gov. Chris Gregoire is appointed to replace US Solicitor General Elana Kagan by the Obama Administration. Obama has nominated Kagan to the Supreme Court.

Rumors have been circulating that Gregoire is on Obama’s short list for the position. However, Gregoire said yesterday that she wants to keep her position as governor.

If Gregoire did leave for Washington, her job would transfer to Lieutenant Gov. Brad Owen, a conservative Democrat and 14-year incumbent. Sonntag, also a conservative Democrat, has been supported in the past by Tim Eyman and last year endorsed Republican Susan Hutchison over now-King County Executive (and Democrat) Dow Constantine.


  • http://www.MajorityRules.org/blog Steve Zemke MajorityRulesBlog

    Brian Sonntag is not going to get Democratic support. You can't endorse a conservative Republican like Susan Hutchison over a strong Democrat and expect to see other Democrats come to your support later. Also Brian has been pretty cozy with the BIAW -which has worked to defeat Democrats and supported Rossi and McKenna.

  • klatu

    This is possibly the lamest idea that has ever been written about in WA political history.

  • Floyd

    Sonntag is out of his mind, He is in a do nothing job and he is dreaming if the thinks he can be the gov. He has been around a long time and nobody even
    notices.

  • saddadbadhad

    Right on the mark, Steve (and klatu & Floyd). Ego trip for him and for Sharkansky.

  • West Seattle Waiter

    I would not underestimate Sonntag's appeal in Pierce County and the South Sound. Just because your view of the world is Seattle doesn't mean that 75% of the voters in the state live outside of the City of Seattle.

  • watcher

    Sonntag's department has uncovered millions in wasteful spending and unaccounted dollars for years! His budget was the latest attack to keep him from continuing to identify State shortcomings in accounting and misappropriations. He certainly knows which rocks to look under. If he's unknown, it's because you aren't paying attention.