Guy Oron
@guyoron.net
Seattle-based journalist and writer. Staff Reporter at Real Change. Views my own. Pronouns: he/they. Subscribe to my newsletter Gossip Guy for free! gossipguy.net
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Guy Oron
@guyoron.net
· Dec 30
Introducing the Seattle Sweeps Open Data Repository
Author’s note: 2024 — what a year. It’s been a lot. And yet we keep going. I’m deeply grateful to all of you for your support of Gossip Guy. Across a dozen posts, 240 of you have decided to subscribe ...
gossipguy.net
NEW: I’m excited to announce a new project I’ve been working on, the Seattle Sweeps Open Data Repository. This open-source data set contains records related to Seattle’s policies of displacement against unhoused people.
gossipguy.net/introducing-...
gossipguy.net/introducing-...
Curious to see Microsoft president Brad Smith on the transition team as co-chair 🤔
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Girmay Zahilay announces transition plans after winning King County exec
Zahilay named a 100-person transition committee and said that county government must offer a counterexample to the Trump administration.
www.seattletimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Curious to see Microsoft president Brad Smith on the transition team as co-chair 🤔
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
SEATTLE ELECTIONS UPDATE: Progressive challenger Katie Wilson has pulled ahead of incumbent Bruce Harrell by just 91 votes, or 0.04%. About 6,400 ballots are left to be counted, which means the margin will likely remain very small, but Wilson has an edge. A machine recount is almost certain.
November 11, 2025 at 12:44 AM
SEATTLE ELECTIONS UPDATE: Progressive challenger Katie Wilson has pulled ahead of incumbent Bruce Harrell by just 91 votes, or 0.04%. About 6,400 ballots are left to be counted, which means the margin will likely remain very small, but Wilson has an edge. A machine recount is almost certain.
Reposted by Guy Oron
NEW: Today is a big day for us at Bolts! From today thru end of 2025, NewsMatch matches any gift you make.
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If you wish to support independent journalism, you can help us thrive:
In a nutshell: Your gift will be doubled. If you start a monthly subscription, your monthly amount is matched *x12*!
If you wish to support independent journalism, you can help us thrive:
Support Bolts
We are a nonprofit publication that covers the nuts and bolts of political change, from the local up, and we need reader support to build our journalism.
boltsmag.org
November 1, 2025 at 3:30 PM
NEW: Today is a big day for us at Bolts! From today thru end of 2025, NewsMatch matches any gift you make.
In a nutshell: Your gift will be doubled. If you start a monthly subscription, your monthly amount is matched *x12*!
If you wish to support independent journalism, you can help us thrive:
In a nutshell: Your gift will be doubled. If you start a monthly subscription, your monthly amount is matched *x12*!
If you wish to support independent journalism, you can help us thrive:
It now looks like the Seattle mayoral election counting process will drag on for weeks, with a deadline of curing ballots by Monday the 24th and then official certification on the 25th.
Then a likely automatic machine recount — and perhaps even a manual hand count — could drag it into mid-December.
Then a likely automatic machine recount — and perhaps even a manual hand count — could drag it into mid-December.
In today's ballot count, Katie Wilson got 54.8% of the votes, narrowing incumbent Seattle mayor Harrell's lead to 4,300 votes, or 1.88%. This was almost the exact minimum threshold she needed. With about 47,000 ballots left, the final margin could end up being less than 100 votes and go either way.
November 8, 2025 at 1:07 AM
It now looks like the Seattle mayoral election counting process will drag on for weeks, with a deadline of curing ballots by Monday the 24th and then official certification on the 25th.
Then a likely automatic machine recount — and perhaps even a manual hand count — could drag it into mid-December.
Then a likely automatic machine recount — and perhaps even a manual hand count — could drag it into mid-December.
In today's ballot count, Katie Wilson got 54.8% of the votes, narrowing incumbent Seattle mayor Harrell's lead to 4,300 votes, or 1.88%. This was almost the exact minimum threshold she needed. With about 47,000 ballots left, the final margin could end up being less than 100 votes and go either way.
November 8, 2025 at 12:06 AM
In today's ballot count, Katie Wilson got 54.8% of the votes, narrowing incumbent Seattle mayor Harrell's lead to 4,300 votes, or 1.88%. This was almost the exact minimum threshold she needed. With about 47,000 ballots left, the final margin could end up being less than 100 votes and go either way.
According to data released by King County Elections today, Seattle voter turnout is almost exactly the same as in 2021, including when sorting voters by age. The main difference is that the electorate got older.
November 7, 2025 at 7:10 PM
According to data released by King County Elections today, Seattle voter turnout is almost exactly the same as in 2021, including when sorting voters by age. The main difference is that the electorate got older.
Thank you to the These Sacred Hills team for hosting a screening of their film. A crucial intervention that questions why Indigenous communities like the Kamiltpa Rock Creek band are being asked to sacrifice their irreplaceable cultural resources for the profits of green capitalism and AI empires.
November 7, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Thank you to the These Sacred Hills team for hosting a screening of their film. A crucial intervention that questions why Indigenous communities like the Kamiltpa Rock Creek band are being asked to sacrifice their irreplaceable cultural resources for the profits of green capitalism and AI empires.
Today's batch wasn't ideal for Katie Wilson, but it preserves a path to victory. She needs about 55% of the remaining ballots to win. She needs tomorrow afternoon's count, which is mainly made up of last minute votes deposited in ballot boxes, to be significantly more in her favor.
Just in: Seattle added 36,035 votes today, and Katie Wilson WON this batch by 3.5%. That means she netted 1,275 votes.
She now trails Bruce Harrell overall by 9,908 votes, or 5.7%.
(1/2)
She now trails Bruce Harrell overall by 9,908 votes, or 5.7%.
(1/2)
November 7, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Today's batch wasn't ideal for Katie Wilson, but it preserves a path to victory. She needs about 55% of the remaining ballots to win. She needs tomorrow afternoon's count, which is mainly made up of last minute votes deposited in ballot boxes, to be significantly more in her favor.
With today's election results drop, with roughly 53% of expected votes incumbent Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell widens his lead to 53.8% to 45.7%, or roughly 11,200 votes. It's certainly not a great result for Wilson, but there are still many votes to be tallied.
November 6, 2025 at 12:09 AM
With today's election results drop, with roughly 53% of expected votes incumbent Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell widens his lead to 53.8% to 45.7%, or roughly 11,200 votes. It's certainly not a great result for Wilson, but there are still many votes to be tallied.
Reposted by Guy Oron
What we know, final edition of the night:
[Now in 3 parts]
—Prop 50 wins
—VA Dems flip Gov, LG, AG
—Dems gain leg seats in VA, NJ, & MS
—Dems defend NJ-Gov
—Dems win NJ+VA trifectas
—Mamdani wins
—PA Dems win state supreme court
—ME anti-mail voting measure loses
—GA Dems flip 2 statewide offices
[Now in 3 parts]
—Prop 50 wins
—VA Dems flip Gov, LG, AG
—Dems gain leg seats in VA, NJ, & MS
—Dems defend NJ-Gov
—Dems win NJ+VA trifectas
—Mamdani wins
—PA Dems win state supreme court
—ME anti-mail voting measure loses
—GA Dems flip 2 statewide offices
November 5, 2025 at 6:48 AM
What we know, final edition of the night:
[Now in 3 parts]
—Prop 50 wins
—VA Dems flip Gov, LG, AG
—Dems gain leg seats in VA, NJ, & MS
—Dems defend NJ-Gov
—Dems win NJ+VA trifectas
—Mamdani wins
—PA Dems win state supreme court
—ME anti-mail voting measure loses
—GA Dems flip 2 statewide offices
[Now in 3 parts]
—Prop 50 wins
—VA Dems flip Gov, LG, AG
—Dems gain leg seats in VA, NJ, & MS
—Dems defend NJ-Gov
—Dems win NJ+VA trifectas
—Mamdani wins
—PA Dems win state supreme court
—ME anti-mail voting measure loses
—GA Dems flip 2 statewide offices
The vibe at Katie’s party definitely turned a little dour after the results dropped. My read is that Katie has a better than 50% chance of pulling ahead, based on past election trends. Either way, it’s going to be close and we won’t get a clear picture until Friday afternoon.
Progressive Seattle mayoral candidate Katie Wilson says she's hopeful after preliminary results shows she's 7% behind incumbent Bruce Harrell. All other progressive candidates are winning. Historically, late returns swing toward left-wing candidates.
November 5, 2025 at 5:50 AM
The vibe at Katie’s party definitely turned a little dour after the results dropped. My read is that Katie has a better than 50% chance of pulling ahead, based on past election trends. Either way, it’s going to be close and we won’t get a clear picture until Friday afternoon.
Progressive Seattle mayoral candidate Katie Wilson says she's hopeful after preliminary results shows she's 7% behind incumbent Bruce Harrell. All other progressive candidates are winning. Historically, late returns swing toward left-wing candidates.
November 5, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Progressive Seattle mayoral candidate Katie Wilson says she's hopeful after preliminary results shows she's 7% behind incumbent Bruce Harrell. All other progressive candidates are winning. Historically, late returns swing toward left-wing candidates.
Reposted by Guy Oron
BREAKING: MAMDANI HAS WON according to Decision Desk
November 5, 2025 at 2:15 AM
BREAKING: MAMDANI HAS WON according to Decision Desk
Turnout is now up to about 24% in King County and 27% in Seattle. This rate is a little lower than in 2021, indicating turnout could reach about ~40% countywide. 9 hours left to turn in your ballot!
We are just one day out from the Seattle local elections! Only 17.6% of King County voters and just under 20% of Seattle voters have returned their ballots. So far, only 1 in 17 young gen Z voters have voted, compared to more than 1 in 3 boomers. Don't forget to vote if you are eligible and want to.
November 4, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Turnout is now up to about 24% in King County and 27% in Seattle. This rate is a little lower than in 2021, indicating turnout could reach about ~40% countywide. 9 hours left to turn in your ballot!
We are just one day out from the Seattle local elections! Only 17.6% of King County voters and just under 20% of Seattle voters have returned their ballots. So far, only 1 in 17 young gen Z voters have voted, compared to more than 1 in 3 boomers. Don't forget to vote if you are eligible and want to.
November 3, 2025 at 7:59 PM
We are just one day out from the Seattle local elections! Only 17.6% of King County voters and just under 20% of Seattle voters have returned their ballots. So far, only 1 in 17 young gen Z voters have voted, compared to more than 1 in 3 boomers. Don't forget to vote if you are eligible and want to.
It’s increasingly clear that KCRHA was never about actually ending homelessness, but just crisis management, PR and an entity that can serve as the scapegoat. By definition, that type of organization has an inherent shelf life.
You'll definitely want to read this update: After laying off 13 people (including the agency's lawyer, CFO, deputy director, and homelessness data lead), the King County Regional Homelessness Authority's director announced she's making five NEW hires, including three new executives.
UPDATED: Homelessness Authority Cuts 28 Positions, Including Deputy CEO, Finance Director, and General Counsel - PubliCola
By Erica C. Barnett Editor’s note: This post has been updated to reflect the fact KCRHA is hiring for five…
publicola.com
November 1, 2025 at 12:03 AM
It’s increasingly clear that KCRHA was never about actually ending homelessness, but just crisis management, PR and an entity that can serve as the scapegoat. By definition, that type of organization has an inherent shelf life.
Reposted by Guy Oron
Crosscut is dead. Long live Crosscut. Today’s the official last day for me and my Cascade PBS newsroom colleagues. We did good work over the decades and it is supremely sad to see it shut down.
October 31, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Crosscut is dead. Long live Crosscut. Today’s the official last day for me and my Cascade PBS newsroom colleagues. We did good work over the decades and it is supremely sad to see it shut down.
"Arsonists complain about large fire"
The affordable housing crisis is principally a problem caused by the unchecked expansion of tech capital and its unequal distribution.
www.geekwire.com/2025/the-eno...
The affordable housing crisis is principally a problem caused by the unchecked expansion of tech capital and its unequal distribution.
www.geekwire.com/2025/the-eno...
The ‘enormous barrier’ that threatens economic growth in the Pacific Northwest
Leaders in the Pacific Northwest are largely bullish on the region's continued economic success — but one threat to the region's fiscal progress worries them in particular.
www.geekwire.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:28 PM
"Arsonists complain about large fire"
The affordable housing crisis is principally a problem caused by the unchecked expansion of tech capital and its unequal distribution.
www.geekwire.com/2025/the-eno...
The affordable housing crisis is principally a problem caused by the unchecked expansion of tech capital and its unequal distribution.
www.geekwire.com/2025/the-eno...
Reposted by Guy Oron
2. And @guyoron.net on the different visions on how to deal with homelessness encampments as the mayor, who has managed a record number of sweeps, seeks a second term: boltsmag.org/seattle-mayo...
In Seattle Mayoral Race, Tensions Between Crackdown and Compassion on Homelessness - Bolts
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has ramped up sweeps of homeless encampments in his first term. In his reelection bid, he faces a progressive challenger who wants to curb them.
boltsmag.org
October 31, 2025 at 2:24 AM
2. And @guyoron.net on the different visions on how to deal with homelessness encampments as the mayor, who has managed a record number of sweeps, seeks a second term: boltsmag.org/seattle-mayo...
Reposted by Guy Oron
For Seattle readers... you already know you have big races on the ballot in 5 days.
But don't miss our reporting on why it matters!
1. @amysundberg.bsky.social on the local prosecutor race, where the only GOP official in Seattle is up for reelection: boltsmag.org/city-attorne...
But don't miss our reporting on why it matters!
1. @amysundberg.bsky.social on the local prosecutor race, where the only GOP official in Seattle is up for reelection: boltsmag.org/city-attorne...
City Attorney Election Puts Seattle's Renewed 'War on Drugs' Under Scrutiny - Bolts
Over the past year, Seattle has begun barring some residents from entering certain neighborhoods of their city. A new ordinance has given local judges the authority to ban people from... Read More
boltsmag.org
October 31, 2025 at 2:23 AM
For Seattle readers... you already know you have big races on the ballot in 5 days.
But don't miss our reporting on why it matters!
1. @amysundberg.bsky.social on the local prosecutor race, where the only GOP official in Seattle is up for reelection: boltsmag.org/city-attorne...
But don't miss our reporting on why it matters!
1. @amysundberg.bsky.social on the local prosecutor race, where the only GOP official in Seattle is up for reelection: boltsmag.org/city-attorne...
Seattle City Attorney candidate Erika Evans joined @realchangenews.bsky.social to discuss her plans to tackle structural injustices in the criminal legal system and fight back against Trump. She also didn't hold back on her criticism of incumbent Ann Davison:
www.realchangenews.org/news/2025/10...
www.realchangenews.org/news/2025/10...
Will Erika Evans be Seattle’s next lawyer-in-chief?
Erika Evans discusses her plans and priorities if elected to be Seattle's next City Attorney.
www.realchangenews.org
October 30, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Seattle City Attorney candidate Erika Evans joined @realchangenews.bsky.social to discuss her plans to tackle structural injustices in the criminal legal system and fight back against Trump. She also didn't hold back on her criticism of incumbent Ann Davison:
www.realchangenews.org/news/2025/10...
www.realchangenews.org/news/2025/10...
Reposted by Guy Oron
INVESTIGATION: Inside Project Nimbus
To secure the lucrative contract, Google & Amazon agreed to secretly notify Israel if a foreign court demands its data, and disregard their own terms of service.
By Yuval Abraham
www.972mag.com/project-nimb...
@mekomit.bsky.social
To secure the lucrative contract, Google & Amazon agreed to secretly notify Israel if a foreign court demands its data, and disregard their own terms of service.
By Yuval Abraham
www.972mag.com/project-nimb...
@mekomit.bsky.social
Inside Israel’s deal with Google and Amazon
To secure Project Nimbus, the tech giants agreed to disregard their own terms of service and tip Israel off if a foreign court demands its data.
www.972mag.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:35 PM
INVESTIGATION: Inside Project Nimbus
To secure the lucrative contract, Google & Amazon agreed to secretly notify Israel if a foreign court demands its data, and disregard their own terms of service.
By Yuval Abraham
www.972mag.com/project-nimb...
@mekomit.bsky.social
To secure the lucrative contract, Google & Amazon agreed to secretly notify Israel if a foreign court demands its data, and disregard their own terms of service.
By Yuval Abraham
www.972mag.com/project-nimb...
@mekomit.bsky.social
New polling from @nwprogressive.org finds that King County Executive candidates Girmay Zahilay and Claudia Balducci are statistically tied, with Balducci at 37% to Zahilay’s 35%. 28% were unsure.
Want to learn more? I interviewed both candidates for @realchangenews.bsky.social (see thread below 👇🏼)
Want to learn more? I interviewed both candidates for @realchangenews.bsky.social (see thread below 👇🏼)
October 29, 2025 at 11:57 PM
New polling from @nwprogressive.org finds that King County Executive candidates Girmay Zahilay and Claudia Balducci are statistically tied, with Balducci at 37% to Zahilay’s 35%. 28% were unsure.
Want to learn more? I interviewed both candidates for @realchangenews.bsky.social (see thread below 👇🏼)
Want to learn more? I interviewed both candidates for @realchangenews.bsky.social (see thread below 👇🏼)
There’s just one week until the Seattle local elections! Did you know you know there are four ballot measures voters will decide on? I wrote a short explainer on them and what they would do, if approved:
www.realchangenews.org/news/2025/10...
www.realchangenews.org/news/2025/10...
What are the ballot measures up for a vote this year?
What are the ballot measures up for a vote this year?
www.realchangenews.org
October 29, 2025 at 1:18 AM
There’s just one week until the Seattle local elections! Did you know you know there are four ballot measures voters will decide on? I wrote a short explainer on them and what they would do, if approved:
www.realchangenews.org/news/2025/10...
www.realchangenews.org/news/2025/10...
Reposted by Guy Oron
🐣 Hello BlueSky!
If you want the latest on Seattle news, culture, and events, follow along here, and find us on IG/TikTok @citycastseattle. We just launched our daily newsletter: seattle.citycast.fm
And our daily podcast launches November 4!
If you want the latest on Seattle news, culture, and events, follow along here, and find us on IG/TikTok @citycastseattle. We just launched our daily newsletter: seattle.citycast.fm
And our daily podcast launches November 4!
City Cast Seattle
We make podcasts and newsletters that connect people with the cities they love.
seattle.citycast.fm
October 28, 2025 at 5:17 PM
🐣 Hello BlueSky!
If you want the latest on Seattle news, culture, and events, follow along here, and find us on IG/TikTok @citycastseattle. We just launched our daily newsletter: seattle.citycast.fm
And our daily podcast launches November 4!
If you want the latest on Seattle news, culture, and events, follow along here, and find us on IG/TikTok @citycastseattle. We just launched our daily newsletter: seattle.citycast.fm
And our daily podcast launches November 4!