We have no clue what 2026 holds, but that hasn't stopped us! The annual "Seattle Nice" prognostication episode returns with Publicola Co-Founder Josh Feit to offer hopes and predictions for the city's 2026. The main event: Mayor-elect Katie Wilson’s looming tenure. Will she defy her critics and steer a progressive agenda with pragmatic, results-oriented grit? We're all optimistic.

The discussion also gets into Seattle's biggest flashpoints including the need for greater police accountability, and the role of the CARE Department. We also talk over ideas to tackle density and affordability, including a “sprawl tax” (or “urban pass”). Finally, the conversation shifts to the quiet crises plaguing the city: dimming transparency at city hall, the struggle for a vibrant nighttime economy, and an accountability deficit in the city's public education system.

Our editor is Quinn Waller.

Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com

Thanks to Uncle Ike's pot shop for sponsoring this week's episode! If you want to advertise please contact us at realseattlenice@gmail.com

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On this four-year anniversary episode of Seattle Nice, we dissect two major policy and political battles, starting with the contentious Seattle Police Officer Guild (SPOG) contract. Passed by a narrow and unusual 6-3 City Council vote, the contract gives officers significant raises—a 42% increase overall— without requiring key accountability measures. We also discuss Mayor-elect Katie Wilson’s decision to retain Police Chief Sean Barnes, and the Trump administration’s erratic moves on homelessness funding.

Our editor is Quinn Waller.

Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com

Thanks to Uncle Ike's pot shop for sponsoring this week's episode! If you want to advertise please contact us at realseattlenice@gmail.com

Support the show

Your support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

A new era is dawning in Seattle and King County, with big changes happening at the top. We break down the personnel shifts, including Mayor-Elect Katie Wilson's choice of Brian Surratt as her sole Deputy Mayor. Is the pick in part a strategic move by Seatte’s new progressive mayor to win over the business community? Plus, we explore the uncertain future of Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes: Will Mayor Wilson keep him on? Finally, we dive into the controversy surrounding King County Executive Girmay Zahilay’s "layoffs,” as reported by PubliCola.

Quinn Waller is our editor.

Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com

Thanks to Uncle Ike's pot shop for sponsoring this week's episode! If you want to advertise please contact us at realseattlenice@gmail.com

Support the show

Your support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

Mayor-elect Katie Wilson turned down numerous invitations for national television appearances over the past week, telling Seattle Nice, “That is not my job.” But she took time out of her busy transition planning to speak with us (and you!). With assistance from our amazing Patreon supporters, and other listeners, we took advantage of the opportunity to pose the incoming mayor of Seattle questions on a wide range of topics, including the following:

• What concrete actions is she going to take to tackle affordability?
• How does she plan to deal with the City Council's adoption of a budget proviso requiring her to fund the Unified Care Team, which sweeps encampments?
• How, specifically, does she intend (as she has promised) to get 4000 homeless people into shelter or housing in her first term?
• What’s her response to Donald Trump calling her a "very, very liberal slash communist mayor" and does she consider herself a soccer fan like Zohran Mamdani?
• Given her opposition to the use of CCTV surveillance, what is her approach to ensuring fan safety and security during the World Cup?
• What’s the role of market capitalism in solving Seattle’s problems, given her commitment to socialism?
• Along with being Seattle's socialist mayor, does she accept the mantle of being Seattle's urbanist mayor, and what does that mean to her?
• As a City Hall outsider, how does her conception of politics differ from that of Bruce Harrell, the veteran incumbent she improbably vanquished?

And much, much more!

Our editor is Quinn Waller.

Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com

Thanks to Uncle Ike's pot shop for sponsoring this week's episode! If you want to advertise please contact us at realseattlenice@gmail.com

Support the show

Your support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

The votes are in and a new era begins in Seattle politics. In this episode:

• The Concession and the Controversy: Was Bruce Harrell’s concession speech gracious enough?
• The Affordability Referendum: Wilson’s focus on pocketbook issues—housing, rent, and the rising cost of living—was the centerpiece of her campaign. Why didn’t Harrell’s response work? How will she deliver?
• Campaign Attacks: Were the Harrell camp’s attacks on Wilson (e.g.,"millennial socialist who still lives off parents’ money") unfair? Sexist?
• Shifting Politics: The cultural shift away from identity politics toward "bread and butter economic issues." Have white progressives changed their tune?
• Road Ahead for Mayor-Elect Wilson: We analyze the challenges for an outsider promising to deliver on affordability. We also discuss the importance of her upcoming staff appointments, possible difficulties posed by Harrell's budget, and Wilson’s plans for housing, progressive taxation, and homeless encampment policies. Is Katie Wilson going to govern like Boston's progressive Mayor Michelle Wu?

Our editor is Quinn Waller.

Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com

Thanks to Uncle Ike's pot shop for sponsoring this week's episode! If you want to advertise please contact us at realseattlenice@gmail.com

Support the show

Your support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

We discuss and debate last night's election and the big progressive wins here in Seattle. Why did moderates lose? Why is the mayor's race between Bruce Harrell and Katie Wilson so tight? We also ponder the future of Seattle's political landscape. Could this end up being the most progressive Seattle government, ever?

Our editor is Quinn Waller.

Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com

Thanks to Uncle Ike's pot shop for sponsoring this week's episode! If you want to advertise please contact us at realseattlenice@gmail.com

Support the show

Your support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

This week, we dive into the Seattle Mayoral race, taking a closer look at Bruce Harrell's campaign paying a consultant $5000 of a week.

We also discuss the final campaign strategies: Harrell's focus on Wilson's alleged inexperience versus Wilson's emphasis on affordability and portrayal of Harrell as a corporate stooge. Plus, we ask: are Seattle voters truly enthusiastic about either candidate?

Our editor is Quinn Waller.

Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com

Thanks to Uncle Ike's pot shop for sponsoring this week's episode! If you want to advertise please contact us at realseattlenice@gmail.com

Support the show

Your support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

This week: A Seattle City Attorney candidate forum with incumbent Ann Davison and challenger Erica Evans. The event was recorded on October 16th and organized by the South Lake Union Community Council and Belltown United.

Note: City Attorney Ann Davison’s audio sounds heavily processed due to a production error at the venue. We did our best to make it audible. If you have trouble hearing any of her answers Apple Podcasts and other platforms now also include fairly accurate transcripts.

Our editor is Quinn Waller.

Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com

Thanks to Uncle Ike's pot shop for sponsoring this week's episode! If you want to advertise please contact us at realseattlenice@gmail.com

Support the show

Your support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.