Episodes
Before Bob Ferguson made a name for himself as Washington's Attorney General, he was a chess player. And not just any junior master. In Seattle and abroad, Ferguson earned a reputation as a two-time state chess champion and even won a game against three opponents at once -- while blindfolded. Sound Politics co-hosts Scott Greenstone and Jeanie Lindsay dive into Ferguson's penchant to think 12 moves ahead, and what it says about Bob Ferguson: the governor-elect, and the person. Read Scott's...
Published 11/14/24
Published 11/14/24
While the rest of the country moved towards the right this election, Washington Democrats saw the first sweep of statewide offices since the 1960s. Governor-elect Bob Ferguson, who sued the Trump administration 99 times as Attorney General, announced he's making contingency plans for counteracting a Trump presidency. But what is behind the country's conservative shift? We'll speak with a political consultant, a journalist, and a former Attorney General about the mood of voters and why...
Published 11/08/24
Take a break from staring at the New York Times needle and join us as we round up local election results.
Published 11/06/24
How are you fighting the election scaries this Halloween? If you're like the Sound Politics team - you're looking to the future. Washington isn't known for being a decider in the presidential election, but one specific county and one statewide primary could be a reliable reflections of the national mood. We'll dig into what Washington predicts for the 2024 election. Plus, a few of our favorite local gems: the down-ballot items that haven't gotten enough coverage.  Thank you to the...
Published 10/31/24
What's going on with STATE Legislative races? Today on Sound Politics, KUOW's Olympia correspondent Jeanie Lindsay joins us to break down the finances behind one of the most expensive races on the ballot this year, as well as why this "purple" district is in play as State Democrats work towards their goal of a legislative SUPER MAJORITY. We also take a look at recent polling about the four initiatives on the top of the ballot, and try to determine why PINOCCHIO is the poster child for Let's...
Published 10/24/24
Ballots are landing in Washingtonians' mailboxes, leaving voters just a few more weeks to make up their minds on some big issues, like voter initiatives. The first thing on that ballot - at the very top - is an initiative that has equally impassioned and confused voters.  Washington Initiative 2066 focuses on how fast utilities are transitioning off of fossil fuels, how they plan for that change, and the power local governments have to weigh in by regulating natural gas.  We'll unpack the...
Published 10/17/24
You’ve been hearing plenty about the big names on your ballot, but there are many people influencing what shows up on that ballot whom you may have never heard of. Unions, tech entrepreneurs, oil companies and industry associations have given millions of dollars to candidates and campaigns. On this week’s Sound Politics, we look at who is spending big on the upcoming election, what they want, and which big donors are sitting this year out. Guest: Paul Queary, editor and publisher of The...
Published 10/10/24
Washington has a fraught relationship with taxes. And what that relationship looks like in the future is a big part of your ballot this November.  In the latest episode of Sound Politics, hosts Scott Greenstone and Libby Denkmann break down two relatively new taxes that voters will decide whether to get rid of: the capital gains tax (which only the richest Washingtonians pay) and the Washington CARES tax (which most voters probably see on their paychecks). Thank you to the supporters of...
Published 10/03/24
Two Republicans are battling to represent Washington's 4th congressional district -- the heart of conservative Washington, a place where being labeled a "vegan" could mean death to your campaign. In one corner sits Dan Newhouse: the incumbent, and one of ten Republicans to vote to impeach Donald Trump. In the other: a Trump-backed challenger, and former NASCAR driver, named Jerrod Sessler.In the newest episode of Sound Politics, hosts Scott Greenstone and Libby Denkmann check in with...
Published 09/26/24
Do you know what's going to be on your ballot this November? Sound Politics is here to help.Today: Sound Politics host Libby Denkmann and special guest Jeanie Lindsay are diving deep into the wonky world of carbon auctions, gas prices, and climate change legislation as we explain Initiative 2117. If passed, it would end the state’s carbon auctions that are the key part of the Climate Commitment Act. We'll dig into the arguments for and against the Initiative, who's funding both sides of the...
Published 09/19/24
Sound Politics is breaking down the big debate! You know it - the one that had you glued to your TV screen, the one all of your group chats were blowing up about, the one that culminated in a cat selfie on Instagram. No, not that debate - we're talking about the first governor's race debate showdown between former Republican congressman Dave Reichert, and Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson! Sound Politics co-hosts Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone discuss highlights from the...
Published 09/12/24
Sound Politics is talking elections on land... and in space this week.  Up first: Scott and Libby start a little closer to home, and talk about one of the closest primary races in state history. It was a tight race to determine who would take second place in the fight for Washington State Land Commissioner. After the first statewide hand recount for a primary since 1960, it looks like Democrat Dave Upthegrove will face off against former Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler in November's...
Published 09/06/24
Sound Politics is getting a little weird this week: Scott is solo hosting, and the pod is taking a break from our regular episode format due to the upcoming holiday weekend. Scott and Libby will be back with your regular 'ol normie Sound Politics next week. In the meantime, Scott is bringing you a conversation that's all about weird. Weird - it’s the word that’s been on the tip of plenty of democrats’ tongues this summer, as they try to communicate to voters why they should vote for the...
Published 08/29/24
Sound Politics is at the Democratic National Convention! Sound Politics co-hosts Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone are breaking down highlights from the convention so far, and how the Washington state delegation is showing up - and showing out. And later, Libby will take listeners to Redmond for a kind of counter-programming for local conservatives: Summer Freedom Fest 2024. Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go...
Published 08/22/24
Now that the dust has settled on August voting, it's time to take a quick cleansing breath, and turn our attention to the four voter initiatives slated for the November ballot.   They’re coming from the right side of the aisle, they’ve got some big money, and feisty politicians backing them.  Northwest News Network state government reporter Jeanie Lindsay joins the pod to talk through all the ballot initiatives voters will decide on in November.  Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you...
Published 08/16/24
It's Sound Politics' inaugural primary results episode! Sound Politics co-hosts Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone are breaking down results from races across the state - from Washington's 3rd congressional district to the Seattle City Council. Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundpoliticsnotes. Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine...
Published 08/08/24
Southwest Washington is home to one of the most consequential races of the 2024 election cycle - the outcome could change who’s in control of the U.S. House of Representatives come January 2025.  Sound Politics co-hosts Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone break down the top three candidates for Washington's 3rd congressional district.  Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundpoliticsnotes.Sound Politics is a...
Published 08/02/24
The primary election is coming in hot. KUOW has fast facts you need to know before voting. Scott Greenstone and Libby Denkmann co-host this new podcast from the KUOW newsroom. In our first episode, we break down the top four gubernatorial candidates. Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundpoliticsnotes. Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is...
Published 07/26/24
A podcast about the candidates, policies, and perspectives shaping the Pacific Northwest. Produced by KUOW in Seattle.
Published 07/19/24