In a tragic loss for his family and for Seattle, Dori Monson, host of the highest-rated talk radio program in Seattle, died of heart failure at age 61 on the last day of 2022.  He was loved and appreciated for his humor, his wit, his irreverence, and his deep skepticism of authority. Dori’s show, The Big Lead, was full of his biting intelligence and personality, featuring stories about quirky people and events in the media, often skewering public officials for their hypocrisy and incompetence.

Seattle likes to think of itself as a mild-mannered place. Dori Monson grew up in Seattle, but he was not afraid of controversy. Dori and his brother and sister grew up poor, raised by a single mother.

His heritage was Icelandic. He grew up on “the mean streets of Ballard,” as he liked to joke. Dori wasn’t afraid to criticize Seattle’s mayor, the governors of Washington state, and their powerful backers in the teachers union. Dori understood the role of the media in a democracy is critically important for maintaining that democracy, as a necessary check on government corruption and incompetence.     

I knew Dori because he often invited me to speak on his show to share my research on the public schools.  Recently Dori covered the union strategy of going on strike to force Seattle Public Schools to approve a three year contract tacking on an additional $228 million to the district’s $1.14 billion budget.  Dori courageously exposed this cozy union-district arrangement and how it will take more money from state coffers to give to the wealthiest district in the state.    

In 2012 The Seattle Weekly wrote about Dori’s life and background, which you can read here: https://issuu.com/pnwmarketplace/docs/i20130124133936760

Dori understood the value of a good education. He himself benefited from taking accelerated programs at Whittier Elementary, James Monroe Junior High, and Ballard High, from where he graduated at age 15. When he was 17 years old, he enrolled in a one-year program at the Ron Bailie School of Broadcasting, where he met the renowned Bill O’Mara, a radio and sports broadcaster.  O’Mara helped Dori go back to school at the University of Washington, and helped him cover the costs of college. Dori always expressed gratitude to O’Mara and all those who helped him out early in life.

That was Dori Monson. He was sincere and true, and deeply thankful for the blessings of this life.  He was big-hearted, generous, happy and optimistic.  His close friends are clearly stricken by his untimely death.

We too are deeply sorry to lose our friend Dori Monson.  He had the courage and tenacity to speak and write the truth, and to boldly challenge powerful interests and their collaborators in government, all to serve his listeners and keep the public informed.