(Image: Girmay for King County)

Girmay Zahilay is beginning his run to lead King County with a major head start — the endorsements of the next wave of state Democratic leaders.

Zahilay, who has represented Capitol Hill, the Central District, and nearby neighborhoods from the University District to Skyway on the King County Council since 2020, has launched his campaign in the 2025 race for King County Executive with endorsements from newly elected Governor Bob Ferguson, and Attorney General-elect Nick Brown.

Zahilay also starts the race with the backing of several major labor groups including UFCW 3000.

“King County gave me the tools to climb the ladder of opportunity. Now, I’m running to make sure that ladder is available to everyone.” Zahilay said in his announcement.

Zahilay’s family came to the United States when he was three. He was born in Ethiopia to Sudanese refugees. The 37-year-old would be “the first millennial, immigrant, or refugee” to serve as King County Executive, his campaign says.

Zahilay’s announcement follows a legislative triumph this fall with the county council’s passage of his “$1 billion workforce housing initiative” that will utilize “the county’s excess debt capacity to partner with housing agencies and developers in creating permanently rent-restricted, multiple-unit housing for the region’s workforce.”

The story and his work on the council may be difficult to beat.

CHS reported here on the opening of the race as Dow Constantine announced he would not seek reelection in 2025 ending his 15 years leading the county.

Fellow King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci will face off with Zahilay

Current county assessor John Wilson is also in the race

Former Bellevue mayor and current member of the King County Council, Claudia Balducci was first to formally announce her run. ”Throughout my career, I have always focused on outcomes that make a difference for the people of King County: transportation, housing and public safety. Our communities are growing increasingly expensive– which is why I fight for expanded access to affordable housing and convenient, sustainable transportation options,” Balducci said.

Balducci currently represents King County Council District 6 that includes “all or parts of Bellevue, Kirkland, Mercer Island, the Points Communities, and Redmond.”

Current County Assessor John Wilson has also entered the race, bringing a more conservative voice to the debate. The three-term assessor is notable for his enthusiastic announcement of annual property valuations and his embrace of the appeal process. He has also said he would shut down the King County Homeless Regional Authority with housing, homelessness, and addiction likely be at the heart of the 2025 race for the executive seat.

Seattle’s relationship to its county is, not surprisingly, complex. Responsible for resources like Metro public transit, the homelessness authority, and the county jail system, King County’s budget will reach $10.2 billion in 2025. The City of Seattle will operate a separate $8.5 billion budget. Meanwhile, Seattle is home to just over 30% of the county’s population — a percentage that is growing.

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