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-Welcome to the 2023 King County General Election
Video Voters' Guide,
your chance to hear directly from the participants
appearing on the November 7 general election ballot.
This is a vote-by-mail election.
Instead of going to a polling place,
ballots will be sent to all registered voters.
All ballots must be returned on or before Election Day,
November 7.
Each statement is up to two minutes long and unedited.
The speakers appear on your screen in the order
they will appear on the ballot.
The candidates appearing in this video are running for
King County Assessor,
King County Elections Director,
the Metropolitan King County Council,
and the Port of Seattle Commission.
All the elective positions included in this guide
are nonpartisan.
The King County Assessor oversees the assessment
of residential and commercial properties in King County,
as well as personal property used by businesses.
These values are used to calculate property taxes
and to calculate property tax levy rates
for King County taxing districts.
The assessor serves a 4-year term.
All voters within King County are eligible
to vote in this race.
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King County Elections Director.
The King County Elections Director is responsible
for conducting elections and overseeing voter registration
and voter education in King County.
The King County Elections Director serves a 4-year term.
All voters in King County
are eligible to vote in this race.
-Hi, I'm Julie Wise.
It is an honor to serve as your Elections Director.
Your confidence in our elections is crucial
to me, to my team and to the future of our democracy.
Each day I work hard to fulfill my commitment
of removing barriers to voting while ensuring accurate,
transparent, and secure elections.
I have 23 years of experience in election administration
and possess a deep understanding of the complexities involved.
Since first elected in 2015,
I have successfully overseen 32 elections,
installed 68 additional ballot drop boxes,
provided prepaid postage, added in-person vote centers,
and increased in-language election materials,
earning the trust and respect of voters and colleagues
from across the political spectrum.
My passion for fostering
an inclusive and transparent democratic process
has been demonstrated in the modernization
of King County's voting system and community outreach.
The voter education fund is setting a new standard
of philanthropic partnership while providing funds
and training to community organizations
conducting nonpartisan voter outreach
in historically marginalized communities.
I have advocated in Olympia and D.C. to ensure Washingtonians
and citizens across the country have meaningful access
to their right to vote.
I have brought in experts
from the Department of Homeland Security
to review our practices and advise on improvements
while also partnering with leaders
of both political parties
to ensure consistent bipartisan oversight
of King County's elections.
My incredible team of trained professional
election administrators work tirelessly
to ensure every ballot is counted.
We audit election results before,
during and after each election to ensure accuracy
and provide industry-leading transparency
through live cameras and data visualization tools
on our website.
I remain committed to improving our voting experience
and maintaining a steadfast, transparent
and nonpartisan department.
I ask for your vote.
-I'm Doug Basler,
candidate for King County Elections Director.
Today, there are far too many people
questioning the security and integrity
of our King County elections.
It's my intention as your new elections director
to restore confidence in our elections once again.
I believe I have a slight edge in this race
due to my extensive C-level corporate management experience,
and I'm committed to making sure
that our voter registration, ballot delivery
and vote-tabulating systems are state-of-the-art
and that our amazing team of election professionals
and volunteers are led with energy,
determination and focus.
I'm passionate about elections
because everything in our society depends on it.
In fact, we can't truly be a free people
without the self-determination made possible by our votes.
We must have complete confidence
that our votes are being counted correctly
and exactly as we intended.
I'm excited to bring in the next level of ballot security,
voter verification and tabulation accuracy
that's required to restore confidence and trust
in our election systems right here in King County
and ensuring that our elections are transparent,
secure and publicly verified.
I'm Doug Basler,
your candidate for King County Elections Director,
and I ask for your vote.
-Metropolitan King County Council.
The King County Council
is the legislative branch of county government.
The County Council enacts laws,
sets policy and adopts the county's operating budget.
The operating budget includes spending
for areas such as public health and human services,
metro transit, wastewater treatment,
the criminal justice system and regional parks and open space.
The King County Council has nine members,
each representing a different geographic district.
Voters select from the candidates
representing their voting district.
Positions 2, 4, 6 and 8 will appear
on the general election ballot this year.
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-My name is Jorge Barón,
and I'm running to serve you on the King County Council
because I believe that together we can build a stronger,
more just future for everyone in King County.
As an immigrant who arrived in the United States from Colombia
at the age of 13
and who was bullied for not speaking English,
and as the proud parent of a trans daughter,
I understand the importance of confronting injustice.
For the past 15 years as the executive director
of the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project,
I have been at the forefront of the fight for immigrant rights
and working to serve marginalized communities.
My track record reflects a proven ability
to tackle complex challenges and build coalitions.
From successfully halting deportations
in the aftermath of the Trump travel ban
to serving on the state task force on
the use of deadly force in policing,
I have consistently made a tangible impact
by working alongside diverse communities
to develop solutions.
Now I aim to bring the same commitment to equity and justice
to the King County Council.
My vision for King County is rooted in integrity and service.
I will invest in preventative, community-based
and data-driven approaches to improve public safety,
climate resilience initiatives,
universally affordable child care,
expanded behavioral health services,
and a robust and sustainable transportation system.
I am determined to develop affordable
and dignified housing for all
and lead on comprehensive strategies
to support our unhoused neighbors.
To realize this vision, I will work urgently
with our state legislative partners
to establish progressive revenue sources that are crucial
for funding necessary investments in the future.
With my understanding of the challenges
faced by diverse communities in King County,
I will be a strong advocate for equitable policies
that address the needs of all residents.
Collaboration will be critical to our success as we strive
to ensure that Martin Luther King Junior County
is a welcoming and prosperous place for everyone.
I am grateful to be endorsed by Washington Conservation Action
and a coalition of local Democrats,
labor unions, business and community leaders,
including Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal,
Representative Liz Berry and others.
To learn more about my campaign
and all of my endorsements,
please visit ElectJorgeBaron.com.
It would be an honor to earn your vote
and continue serving our community.
-Hello, my name is Sarah Reyneveld,
and I am running for
King County Council position number 4.
I am a managing Assistant Attorney General,
public school parent, transit rider, union member,
community advocate and 25-year District 4 neighbor.
I am running for King County Council
because we need bold and transformative action
to address the scale of the challenges
facing our region.
I will bring experienced leadership
and tangible solutions to urgently address
King County's homelessness and behavioral-health crisis,
improve public safety and advance climate action.
I have a proven 20-year track record
taking on our toughest challenges,
standing up for our shared values and getting results.
As an Assistant Attorney General for over 10 years,
I have worked to protect vulnerable communities,
stood up to opioid manufacturers and held polluters accountable.
As Councilmember Kohl-Welles' representative
to the King County Women's Advisory Board,
I've worked to secure investments
in affordable housing, behavioral health,
and child care.
I want to continue this track record
of working collaboratively with our communities
to deliver results.
With your vote, I will deliver on a regional plan
to dramatically reduce homelessness
by expanding shelter units and increasing accountability
of our regional homelessness authority.
I am committed to protecting our public safety budget
and improving staffing and upstream solutions
that reduce crime, opioid addiction and gun violence.
I will build on my work with the Women's Advisory Board,
expanding behavioral health care,
child care and services
for survivors of gender-based violence.
I'll champion frequent, reliable and safe public transit,
tackle the climate crisis and protect our environment.
I am proud to be endorsed by Attorney General Bob Ferguson,
Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz,
County Councilmembers Kohl-Welles,
Zahilay and Dembowski,
the Washington Conservation Action,
National Women's Political Caucus,
Democrats and unions, including the Seattle Building Trades,
state employees and bus operators.
I'd appreciate your support.
♪♪
-I'm Teresa Mosqueda,
running for King County Council District 8.
I'm running for the county because it is the place
to be to improve population health,
workforce housing, and invest in child care,
transit, and job-training opportunities.
At Seattle City Council, I've built broad coalitions
and delivered on progressive and transformational change.
I led the efforts on progressive revenue,
affordable housing, community safety investments,
small business supports,
and groundbreaking worker protections
through my now six years in office.
And as your King County Councilmember,
I will work to improve community health,
access to housing and greater shared prosperity
for both workers and small businesses.
I'm committed to addressing the compounding
public health crises of violence,
behavioral health, and substance abuse issues
by increasing support for upstream investments,
increasing support for our public health workforce,
and implementing the new crisis care levy
that I proudly helped craft last year.
I will expedite solutions to fund and grow housing,
to prevent displacement and reduce sprawl.
With reduced car emissions and global warming,
this is not only good for our climate,
it's good for our local economy and individual health.
I will work to create economic opportunity for all
by investing in child care workers
and improved affordability.
I'll invest in transit workers and enhanced accessibility,
and in job training and union apprenticeships for more workers
to have economic security.
I am proudly endorsed by U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal,
Attorney General Bob Ferguson,
King County Executive Dow Constantine,
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell,
and all of the endorsing unions that have endorsed
for King County Council District 8 have endorsed me.
Thanks to the 33rd,
the 11th and the 37th Legislative District Democrats
who have endorsed me,
along with Washington Conservation Action
and Northwest Women's Political Caucus.
Please join us.
-I'm Sofia Aragon, the mayor of Burien.
I'm running for King County Council
because our region's leaders need to do better.
King County should be a safe, healthy and inclusive place.
Unfortunately, some of our elected leaders
have put political grandstanding before results.
As your councilmember, I will focus on proven,
common sense solutions on crime, homelessness and public health.
As an immigrant child from the Philippines
who grew up in South Seattle,
I've seen our community's biggest challenges.
I had access to quality health care
thanks to my mom's union. Inspired by her,
I chose to be a nurse serving a diverse community,
including those experiencing homelessness and addiction.
As mayor, I take action to prevent a surge
in drug-related deaths --
increasingly, the number-one cause of death
for people under 40 in Washington.
On county council, I will focus on treatment.
And on homelessness,
I will push for increased accountability
from our troubled regional homelessness authority.
Communities are struggling with crime.
This is especially true for our most vulnerable neighborhoods.
When people call 911,
they deserve a fast, effective response.
I am the only candidate in this race
who has consistently opposed defunding the police.
As mayor, I worked to increase law enforcement staffing.
The recent home invasions against Asian elderly
is alarming.
On King County Council,
I will deliver both common sense reforms
and more first responders.
Representing communities is important.
There has not been a council member of Asian heritage
for 40 years, but King County Council
has a lot to be optimistic about.
To get there, we need leadership
that's willing to take a stand for what works.
I'm the only candidate endorsed in this race
by The Seattle Times, labor and business organizations.
You have my pledge. I'll always put results above politics.
I ask for your vote.
♪♪
-Port of Seattle Commission.
The Port of Seattle Commission
is a countywide municipal corporation.
Port commissioners oversee
the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport,
the Seattle seaport, Fishermen's Terminal,
three recreational marinas and two cruise terminals.
Commissioners also appoint and evaluate
the port's chief executive officer,
approve the annual port budget,
establish financial policies and approve labor agreements.
Port Commission Positions 2 and 5 will appear
on the November general election ballot this year.
All voters in King County
are eligible to vote in both of these races.
Port commissioners serve a 4-year term.
♪♪
-It's been an honor to serve King County residents
for the past 7 1/2 years
on the Seattle Port Commission.
I'm running for a third term
to continue my environmental leadership,
advancing a just and inclusive transition
to a clean-energy economy that generates living wage careers.
My service is guided by a triple bottom line --
commerce, community and climate.
I'm committed to expanding environmental
and economic justice,
especially for near-port communities
and small minority-owned businesses.
My experience is needed to exercise policy direction
over a fast-growing airport, home port
for Alaska cruise ships and fishing fleet, marinas,
parks and the marine cargo alliance
with the Port of Tacoma.
The port generates 121,000 jobs.
The airport and seaport have won customer-service awards
even during major construction.
But port activities also impact communities and the climate.
That's why I'm leading initiatives
to electrify seaport and airport operations and transition
to alternative fuels for trucks, ships and planes.
I'm also working to protect parks, advance bicycle safety
and the clean-up of the Duwamish River.
I'll continue reducing the port's carbon footprint
by directing significant state and federal funding
for clean-energy projects,
inspiring youth to pursue port-related careers
through apprenticeships and internships,
and expanding partnerships with tribes
and the Seattle Aquarium
for projects from kelp to killer whales and ecotourism.
With your support, I'll continue to champion port policies
rooted in fiscal responsibility, ecological integrity
and social equity.
I respectfully request your vote.
I'm proud by the breadth of support and endorsements,
I'm ranging from The Seattle Times
to The Stranger,
the Martin Luther King Labor Council and Sierra Club
to the East Side Business Alliance,
as well as King County Democrats and Republicans.
I'm also particularly honored
by the endorsements from elected leaders
like Mayor Bruce Harrell, Governor Inslee,
Attorney General Ferguson, King County Executive Constantine
and many others.
Thank you.
-The port management has issues that need to be fixed.
As a major economic engine and job generator,
port has not been managing well with its revenue,
capital-improvement projects.
With hundreds of million dollars of cost overruns,
a billion-dollar new terminal
filled with financial construction
and design problems.
Hi, I'm Jesse Tam, a retired banker
and a business consultant
for the past four decades in King County.
I'm running for the Port of Seattle Commissioner.
My top priority is to protect our current jobs
for the workers with living wages,
providing clean and green environment
while strengthening our economy.
As a founder of two community banks in Washington State,
I provided financial services to minority and women businesses.
I will continue such efforts
to create more jobs in this region.
We need to address traffic and transportation issues
in our area affecting our daily lives.
The port has a lot of social responsibility.
I will promote educational training apprenticeship programs
for advancement of young people.
I work with various nonprofit organizations
to carry out program to protect young people
from human trafficking and working with programs
to enhance our region with cleaner air.
I have plans to tackle the cleanup as we promised
and develop preventive plans for areas surrounding our port.
With decades of real-estate experience,
I have worked with issues of industrial land
and other real-estate matters
associated with the port's daily operation,
with knowledge and development,
construction and property management.
We must manage our port with strong fiscal responsibility,
integrity, accountability and transparency.
As a result of being a well-managed port,
we'll be able to distribute our prosperity
equally among many communities in our region.
I believe in diversity, equity and inclusion.
I am endorsed by ATU 587 labor union
former Governor Gary Locke and many others.
I respectfully ask for your support. Thank you.
-You have just seen the video statements
submitted by candidates running for King County Assessor,
King County Director of Elections,
King County Metropolitan Council
and the Port of Seattle Commission.
This program is a collaboration of the Seattle Ethics
and Elections Commission,
the Seattle Channel and King County TV.
This will be a vote-by-mail election.
Instead of going to a polling place,
ballots will be sent to all registered voters.
Look for your ballot in the mail after October 18 and vote
and return it by Tuesday, November 7.
Remember to sign the envelope with your voted ballot.
To learn about accessible voting options,
go to kingcounty.gov/elections.
Ballots can be returned via U.S. mail
or at one of King County's secured ballot drop boxes.
Ballots must be postmarked by November 7.
You can track the progress of your ballot online
and find the location of drop boxes
or accessible voting centers
by visiting King County Elections
at kingcounty.gov/elections.
Thank you for joining us.
We'd like to hear from you about the Video Voters' Guide.
To comment on this guide,
please call 206-684-8500
or e-mail us at ethicsandelections@seattle.gov.