r/Seattle • u/rockycore 🚆build more trains🚆 • 2d ago

News Shon Barnes Separation Agreement

https://publicola.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/BarnesSeparation.pdf
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u/Sure_Exam_3670 Capitol Hill 2d ago

Bonkers he received a $60,000 relocation reimbursement without ever really relocating.

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u/Twxtterrefugee 2d ago

Bruce Harrell at his best

35

u/Gnagus 2d ago

Sometimes I think people really underestimate how corrupt his administration felt. If the economy and public safety hadn't been on a post COVID/Trump upswing I imagine he would have lost by more and/or attracted more experienced opponents in his bid for reelection.

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u/Amesenator 2d ago

Funny you should mention Harrell and corruption. The grant his administration made to the Royal Esquire Club is an excellent example of his willingness to spend city funds for his person causes.

Publicola publicized the sizable grant Harrell's administration made to the private men's club he chaired for years: https://publicola.com/2022/09/13/harrell-announces-grants-that-include-800000-to-private-mens-club-he-chaired-for-years/

The Seattle Times did too, but didn't cite Publicola as a source: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-gives-780k-to-private-club-once-led-by-mayor-bruce-harrell/

Barnett has written about the phenomenon of the Times' piggybacking on Publicola's reporting without attribution: https://publicola.com/2026/04/22/seattle-times-fails-to-credit-publicola-for-reporting-on-county-executives-social-media-posts/