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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.

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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.

PubliCola TV: Joe Fitzgibbon

2010 Election, Politics   August 18, 2010 at 4:34 pm Josh Feit

PubliCola was wielding our Flip Video last night at Democrat Joe Fitzgibbon’s Primary Election night party at the Heartland Cafe in West Seattle, a Midwest-themed bar (chicken fried steak and tater tots are featured on the menu). There were about 50 people on hand—including Fitzgibbon’s mom, sister, and grandma.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUonQmgGtrk[/youtube]

Josh Cohen interviewed Fitzgibbon right after the results came through. Fitzgibbon—a 23-year-old idealistic policy wonk (he’s on the Burien Planning Commission and worked as Rep. Sharon Nelson’s aid)—came through the crowded field in the top-two primary in the number two spot with 32.8 percent of the vote, right behind Mike Heavey, who came in first with 33.5 percent. Heavey, the son of former state legislator and currenty Superior Court Judge Mike Heavey Sr., is an aide to King County Council Member Jan Drago.

By Wednesday’s second count Fitzgibbon had pulled even closer (if that’s possible)  33.3 to 33.4.

Full disclosure: We endorsed Fitzgibbon. But damn if we didn’t ask him—given how he likes to take partial credit for Nelson’s successful agenda—how he would deal with the tunnel cost overruns issue. Nelson was one of the Seattle Six who voted for the overruns provisions.

You can read our profiles of Heavey and Fitzgibbon here.

Video by Bryce McKay.




  • DrTchock

    A) Lovely YouTube thumbnail of Fitzy.
    B) It’s “chicken fried steak” not “stake”
    Not a match, the board goes back.

  • Careyjones

    bleh… more and more bleh from interest groupie fitzy.

  • Anonymous

    Love the way he nods when he’s listening. It was a great party, and he’s definitely going to take it.

  • http://manywordsforrain.blogspot.com/ Communicate With Mike

    Thank goodness he only came in second, had he ended up third your fawning would have … Well it is just a tiny bit sickening.

    You are actively and continuously endorsing him.

  • Anonymous

    The opportunism with this guy actually makes me sick. Trust me, in 5 years (if he wins this election) he will be so establishment politics that Nickels will seem like a hard core lefty radical.

  • Asdf123

    WTF is “opportunism” about working in and then running for office in your hometown?

    Sounds sort of like the ‘American Way’ to me.

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/6SAQ6R2ZBGQQNNBXVJZG66K6KY Mickymse

    Right… more and more “bleh” from the only one of the four candidates able to speak knowledgeably about the dozens of issues of importance to the 34th District — particularly, the non-Seattle portions.

  • ivan

    Stuff it, Baker. They’re still counting the votes. When the election is certified, we’ll know where he “came in.” Besides, it’s only the primary.

    Publicola pimps all kinds of weird shit — all day, every day. Sooner or later, they’re bound to get one right, and this is one of those times.

  • ivan

    And now he’s leading by 126 votes. How do you like THAT?

  • ivan

    186 votes. My bad.

  • UncleRemus

    Hey Bryce, try holding the effing camera steady…The only thing dope about your camera work is you.

  • Anonymous

    Andyinseattle, why should I trust when you sound like a bitter idiot? You’ve obviously never had a conversation with Joe. There is so no ego whatsoever going on with this guy. He’s humble and running because he thinks there need to be more progressive advocates in Olympia. It’s that simple.