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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.

Afternoon Jolt

Jolt, Opinion, Politics   August 27, 2010 at 5:27 pm Afternoon Jolt

Today’s winner: Gays & lesbians. (Well, really just lesbians).

In the contest between two Democrats in the 27th Legislative District (Tacoma and Fife), where Laurie Jinkins (an out lesbian) is squaring off against fellow Democrat Jake Fey, the deputy mayor of Tacoma, Governor Gregoire did a robo call on Jinkins’ behalf.

As the final votes were tallied this week, Jinkins was ahead 32.9 to 29.1.

Not only did Gregoire take the unusual move of getting involved in an intramural scrap, but she got Jinkins’ back. If she’s elected, Jinkins will be the first out lesbian in the state house.

Today’s Loser: Political consultant Blair Butterworth

Not only did Butterworth’s client, incumbent state Sen. Claudia Kauffman (D-47, southeast King County) get walloped 55 to 44 by her Republican challenger in the primary. But now, as Kauffman stumbles into the primary, she’s going with a new consultant, former Progressive Majority head Dean Nielsen.

Before he was at Progressive Majority, by the way, Nielsen used to work for Butterworth.




  • http://43rddemocrats.org Michael M.

    What’s a “deputy dayor”?

  • Anonymous

    The new political consultant won’t help Senator Claudia Kauffman win re-election. Joe Fain, her Scott Brown-ish Republican opponent, appears to have won the primary 56 to her 44 percent.

    She is toast. The district voted for Dino Rossi in 2008 and Susan Hutchison last year. Fain is smart, affable, and moderate.

    The Democratic candidates for House are in much better shape.

    I predict Senator Kauffman will lose to Joe Fain while Representatives Pat Sullivan and Geoff Simpson will win re-election (Simpson narrowly).

  • Dorothy

    Go, Dean! He is a great and fierce campaigner