A King County Executive Candidate Forum, co-hosted by West Hill Community Associations and South Seattle Emerald, was held at Albert Talley High School on October 4, 2025. This event offered insights to the South End communities regarding how the candidates, Girmay Zahilay and Claudia Balducci, who are both current members of the King County council, planned to take on issues and explain why they believed those problems existed in the first place. The co-moderators of the forum were Emerald Managing Editor Rosette Royale and Renton High School Senior Hermon Mekuria. Local restaurants offered to cater, and alongside included a performance by violinist Amani Tomkins. Much appreciation to the support from King County Elections and Seattle Foundation’s Voter Education Fund for their contribution to the event.
Royale first addresses the mismanagement by the Department of Community and Human Services in August 2025, leading to billions of dollars misused in the county, which is reported by the King County Auditors. Zahilay stated that more money was pushed out due to more communities struggling during the Covid-19 pandemic. He urges that King County members take proactive actions that promote “accountability, sufficiency, and transparency.” Compared to Balducci, who proposes a more careful approach where she encourages to analyze issues and examine various solutions, along with having someone who can assess the actions they have produced. Both candidates agreed that two causes were the lack of administration growth and training to successfully manage the county’s budget.
In order to encourage more participation from the youth in King County, both candidates emphasize increasing partnership with schools and their communities. Balducci says the best approach is “help to support and fund programs that help young people to participate…” While Zahilay stresses on teaching the youth the skills to examine community issues. Moreover, in order to overcome the current homelessness crisis, Zahilay suggested every person in King County should have an individualized plan to support themselves and “building more market rate housing…more emergency housing like tiny house villages…” Balducci also agrees with Zahilay to increase permanent shelters and suggested pairing in mental health services.
In addition to addressing road safety, Balducci emphasized switching from a fast systems approach to a slow system approach that acknowledges the vulnerability of people. Similarly to Zahilay, he plans to continue his efforts of working with Washington State Department of Transportation and use Washington funding to design safe streets. Furthermore, to increase the immigration safety in White Center, Washington, Balducci calls for more awareness to educate King County members what their rights are. Contrasted with Zahilay, who plans to prioritize proactively making sure law enforcement does not interfere in immigration charges. Lastly, to further the environmental justice efforts especially in the Duwamish Valley, both candidates show commitment to respond to major climate change. Specifically, Balducci concludes that it means increasing water flow and care of water quality problems while Zahilay plans to continue his efforts like working with airport communities and protecting the county’s weather mitigation policy.
The 2025 King County Executive general election will occur on November 4, 2025. If you are 18 years or older and have not registered to vote, visit https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/elections/how-to-vote/register-to-vote or visit your nearest King County Election office.
Your voice matters!
