Washington Observer to Hire Seattle Times Veteran Brunner

The subscription-based outlet will expand its political reporting team effective December 1.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Media

Washington Observer to Hire Seattle Times Veteran Brunner

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Longtime Seattle Times reporter Jim Brunner is joining The Washington Observer on December 1. The move expands the subscription-based outlet’s political and government reporting capacity as it builds on its 2020 launch.

Why it matters

The hire signals an ongoing transition in regional media where established journalists are migrating to niche, reader-supported newsletters. For Washington business operators, this shift underscores how specialized outlets are increasingly positioning themselves to capture professional interest.

Brunner leaves a 28-year career at The Seattle Times, including his 2010 Pulitzer Prize-winning tenure, to join The Washington Observer. The outlet has operated since 2020 on a paid subscription model.

The players

Jim Brunner

A veteran political reporter with 28 years of experience at The Seattle Times and a 2010 Pulitzer Prize.

The Washington Observer

A digital-first, subscription-based media outlet focused on Washington state politics and government.

Paul Queary

The founder of The Washington Observer, which launched in 2020.

The details

The Washington Observer operates primarily as a digital newsletter and website that relies on direct subscriptions for revenue. By bringing on an experienced political reporter, the outlet aims to scale its coverage of state government operations and policy. This move reflects a broader industry trend where niche publications compete for high-value subscribers by securing veteran journalists to provide specialized, reliable reporting.

1998: Brunner joined The Seattle Times.
2010: Brunner won a Pulitzer Prize.
2020: Paul Queary launched The Washington Observer.
December 1, 2026: Brunner starts his role at The Washington Observer.

Market Landscape

The hiring follows the growth trajectory established by the 2020 launch of The Washington Observer, marking a shift in its editorial investment. This move illustrates how independent, subscription-driven outlets are scaling to compete with traditional legacy newsrooms.

Business operators should monitor this editorial expansion as a signal of increased depth in political and policy-focused reporting within the state. Consider how this shift in the media landscape influences the visibility of your firm's regulatory and government-related concerns.

The takeaway

This move highlights the competitive shift toward specialized, paid-access platforms for regional political intelligence. Operators should track the evolving coverage patterns of such outlets to gauge which political narratives are gaining traction with professional audiences.