Jim Brunner to Join The Washington Observer in December

The longtime political reporter leaves The Seattle Times to expand coverage at the independent media outlet.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Media

Isometric editorial illustration of a desk lamp and geometric cubes, symbolizing the structural expansion of political media coverage. — Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jim Brunner is moving to The Washington Observer on December 1, ending a 28-year tenure at The Seattle Times. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jim Brunner is set to join The Washington Observer as a senior political reporter starting December 1, 2026. Brunner departs from The Seattle Times after a 28-year tenure at the newspaper.

Why it matters

The hire marks a strategic move by The Washington Observer, founded in 2020 by Paul Queary, to bolster its investigative reach and political reporting across the state. The newsletter-based publication relies on paid subscriptions to sustain its independent model.

Brunner brings experience from a 28-year career at The Seattle Times, which includes a Pulitzer Prize win in 2010. The Washington Observer, which launched in 2020, seeks to expand its footprint with this senior-level appointment.

The players

Jim Brunner

A veteran journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner who is moving to The Washington Observer after 28 years at The Seattle Times.

Paul Queary

The founder of The Washington Observer, a digital newsletter and website that provides independent political coverage of Washington state.

The details

Brunner previously reported for The Associated Press and The Spokesman-Review before his long career in Seattle. His move to The Washington Observer signifies the outlet's push to deepen its government and policy coverage through a subscriber-supported model.

Brunner joined The Seattle Times in 1998.
Brunner won a Pulitzer Prize in 2010.
Paul Queary founded The Washington Observer in 2020.
Brunner begins his role at The Washington Observer on December 1, 2026.

Market Landscape

This transition aligns with the industry-wide migration of veteran print journalists to independent, subscription-based digital outlets. The hire positions The Washington Observer to better compete for market share against legacy publications in the regional political news sector.

Readers of The Washington Observer can expect an increase in the depth and frequency of political reporting starting this December. Those who rely on the publication for state-level government updates may see expanded coverage of key policy issues.

The takeaway

The move highlights the growing influence of independent, subscription-funded platforms in the local news landscape. Readers interested in regional politics should monitor the updated editorial content at the outlet following the transition.