Seattle Nice Assessor Allegedly Stalks, Ethics Walks, and the Culture War Rocks Seattle
May 31, 2025
Erica Barnett, a journalist at Publicola with a focus on Seattle politics, joins political consultant Sandeep Kaushik to dive into a slew of hot topics. They discuss serious allegations of stalking against King County Assessor John Arthur Wilson and the implications for public trust. The conversation turns to Cathy Moore's controversial bill withdrawal, which critics argue weakens ethics standards. Finally, they analyze the recent anti-trans protests in Seattle's LGBTQ neighborhood, questioning the dynamics of free speech and community safety in the face of escalating tensions.
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Backlash Over Ethics Bill
- Seattle City Council faced backlash for proposing to lower ethical standards to allow voting with personal conflicts of interest.
- Public opposition and council skepticism pressured Councilmember Kathy Moore to withdraw her bill.
Assessor Faces Serious Allegations
- King County Assessor John Arthur Wilson is accused of stalking and harassment by his former partner, raising serious concerns.
- Public officials widely call for him to resign, reflecting the gravity of the allegations.
Denial Reflects Abuser Patterns
- John Arthur Wilson hasn't denied stalking and harassment allegations, instead minimizing the behavior.
- This aligns with classic abuser behavior and raises questions about his fitness for public office.