Ooh, baby! Ive spent too much time on my knees!
“Ooh, baby! I’ve spent too much time on my knees!” Jovanmandic / Getty Images

Tonight’s the night: It’s the primary, people. Tonight we’ll find out which of these 55 City Council candidates will make it through to the general election in November. Only 14 people will pass the primary—two people per district, not including the citywide positions—and shameless promo: All 14 will be appearing in the Candidate Survivor pageant we’re throwing with the Washington Bus on Wednesday, August 21 at Neumos. You should come to that. But for now: This election. Look out for our election live blogging, which will start on this here Slog around 6 p.m. Ballot drop happens just after 8 p.m.

Turn out the ballot boxes: As of noon today, 25% of Seattle has returned their ballot for the August primary. That means turnout in this election will likely be slightly higher than turnout in the 2015 primary (which was 25%), which was the last time these Seattle City Council seats were up. There are currently 260 people reading our endorsements RIGHT NOW. Hurry, people!

Who needs recess?: Not the U.S. House Democrats, apparently. Some Dems are pressuring Nancy Pelosi to end their summer recess and bring the House of Representatives back to Washington to address white supremacy. “We should not wait until the district work period ends on Sept. 9 to take action that will protect the American people,” reads the letter, obtained exclusively by Vice News.

It’s not just Democrats calling Trump a racist: A Catholic bishop has come out and called Trump a racist. He is believed to be the first to do so. (“To distract from WHAT, FATHER?!” yelled someone from over my shoulder. “YEAH, GOD DADDY!” yelled someone else. “God Daddy” is now the new term for a bishop.)

Meanwhile, McConnell’s team says: Boys will be boys, after U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called his campaign out after a photo was posted online of young men wearing “Team Mitch” shirts groping and choking a cardboard cutout of AOC. A campaign manager initially responded that the media is using this image to “demonize, stereotype, and publicly castigate every young person who dares to get involved with Republican politics.” The campaign later followed up that the photo is demeaning and not condoned by McConnell’s reelection campaign.

54 arrests were made over Seattle Seafair weekend: For people suspected of “boating under the influence.” They were made on Lake Washington between last Friday and Sunday. 58 arrests were made last year, so I guess this is an improvement???

New study confirms what we already know: Seattle is fucking expensive. The Council for Community and Economic Research released a study that ranks Seattle the fifth most expensive place to live in America, behind New York’s Manhattan (most expensive), San Francisco, Honolulu, and New York’s Brooklyn (fourth most expensive).

Finally, something we can agree on: Pence says to “spend more time on your knees than on the internet.” He was talking about prayer, but it’s hard not to think he’s talking about…

Joaquin Castro’s campaign Twitter is lit right now: House Representative Joaquin Castro (twin brother of 2020 presidential candidate Julián Castro) is being criticized for tweeting out the names and employers of 44 San Antonio-area Texans who donated the maximum amount of $2,700 to Donald Trump’s reelection campaign. In the tweet, Castro said their contributions “are fueling a campaign of hate that labels Hispanic immigrants as “invaders.” Trump’s campaign has reported Castro’s tweet to Twitter for violating the company’s abuse and harassment policy….which…..seems ironic, huh?


Castro doubled the fuck down on his initial tweet: Saying that the “graphic I shared doesn’t have private or personal info—no addresses or phone #, etc. It’s publicly reported info printed in newspapers routinely from the @nyt to the @dcexaminer.” The Hill notes that candidates are required to disclose the names and employers of donors who give $200 or more to the Federal Election Commission and is available online for anyone to access.

The natural wine trend won’t quit: “La Dive,” a bar featuring natural wines and frozen wine cocktails will be opening up in the Other Coast Cafe‘s spot. “It will be a little dive-y,” said La Dive’s co-owner to Capitol Hill Seattle Blog. “But you can also get an interesting glass of wine there.”

Don’t forget: To wish Nathalie a happy anniversary.

OKAY, JUMPING OUT TO START THIS ELECTION COVERAGE: Follow along here. Refresh it every 10 or so minutes for new #Content.

Chase Burns is The Stranger's former editor. He's covered everything from gay luchadores to chemical weapons to Isabella Rossellini's favorite pets.