-Welcome to the 2025 King County
General Election Video Voters' Guide,
your chance to hear directly from the participants
appearing on the November 4 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 4.
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.
Participants appearing in this video
include representatives who support and oppose
King County Proposition 1, the Emergency Services Levy,
along with candidates running for King County Executive,
the Metropolitan King County Council,
and Port of Seattle Commission.
First up... King County Proposition 1,
the Medic One/Emergency Medical Services levy.
King County Proposition 1 would replace the expiring county-wide
Medic One/Emergency Medical Services levy.
If approved by voters,
Proposition 1 would authorize King County
to levy a regular property tax
at a rate not to exceed 25 cents per $1000 of assessed valuation
on all taxable property within King County.
For a property with an assessed valuation of $844,000,
the maximum rate would be approximately $211.00
in the first year.
The levy proceeds would be used to fund county-wide Medic One
emergency medical services and emergency medical care
as described in King County Ordinance19950
and RCW 84.52.069.
The levy would be authorized for a six-year period,
with collection beginning in 2026.
Qualifying seniors, veterans, and disabled persons
would be eligible for exemption from the levy
under RCW 84.36.381.
-Hi, my name's Greg Markley.
I've been a firefighter in King County for over 35 years,
working under the King County Medic One
Emergency Medical system.
I'm asking you today to support
King County Proposition No. 1, Medic One,
which is a replacement of the existing levy,
on the November 4th general election.
It's not a new levy,
just a continuation of the funding of the existing system
for the next six years.
Medic One emergency medical services are those that you get
anytime you call 911 for a medical emergency here
here in King County. By calling 911,
callers have immediate access to the system 24/7
and its medical care provided by dispatchers,
firefighters, and paramedics in your local area.
Our system serves over 2.3 million citizens
and responds every two minutes to a medical emergency.
In 2024, firefighter EMTs responded
to more than 250,000 calls for assistance,
and paramedics responded to more than 48,000
advanced life support calls.
With Medic One, cardiac arrest victims are two to three times
more likely to survive compared to other cities in the nation.
Our survival rates for cardiac arrest hovers right around 50%,
which is among the highest reported anywhere in the world.
The current Medic One levy expires at the end of 2025,
and this levy has been reauthorized
since the early 1970s,
where it started in Seattle.
The proposed levy rate
is 25 cents per $1000 of assessed value,
and is less than the 2019 authorization of 26.5 cents.
The owner of an $850,000 home in the region
will pay approximately $212 a year for the Medic One services.
Please join your local firefighters and paramedics
supporting King County Proposition 1, Medic One.
The system is there for us 24/7,
and now it's time for us to be there for Medic One
by voting yes to support King County Proposition 1, Medic One.
Thank you for your support.
Please vote yes Medic One.
♪♪
-King County Executive.
The County Executive manages the delivery
of such regional services as criminal justice, metro transit
and wastewater treatment.
The executive also directs the local services provided
to those in the unincorporated areas, outside of cities.
In 2022, the County Charter was amended
to move certain county offices to even-year elections.
Therefore, in 2025, the election to King County Executive
will be for a three-year term
instead of the normal four-year term.
King County Executive is a non-partisan position.
All voters in King County can vote for county executive.
-When I talk to people across King County,
I hear the same things.
Housing is too expensive,
too many communities don't feel safe,
and after decades of failed promises, we are all frustrated.
I'm Girmay Zahilay, and I'm running for county executive
because I know we can do better.
Every tax dollar must deliver safer, healthier
and more affordable communities.
That urgency comes from my own life experiences.
I was raised in South King County
after our family arrived here as refugees.
We experienced homelessness and lived in public housing
even though my parents worked multiple jobs.
I know how hard it is to make ends meet.
Today I'm a husband and father raising my own family here.
That's what drives me to make government work better.
That experience also led me to a life of service.
I worked in the Obama White House,
practiced business law at top firms,
and founded a national youth education nonprofit.
As council chair, I led the work to fund new recovery centers
to address the addiction crisis,
expand King County's gun violence prevention strategy,
and invest in thousands of new affordable homes
near public transit.
This year, I also championed a public safety initiative
that will invest in more first responders
that keep your neighborhood safe.
That's why I'm the only candidate in this race
endorsed by Governor Ferguson,
Attorney General Nick Brown
and Congress members Pramila Jayapal and Adam Smith.
My record of delivering results
has also earned sole endorsements
from Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates,
Washington Conservation Action,
the Alliance for Gun Responsibility,
and more elected officials around the region
than any other candidate.
They believe I'm the most effective candidate
in this race, and so do the voters.
I won first place in the primary election by double digits.
As executive, I'll tackle our biggest challenges head on,
fighting homelessness with urgency,
improving public safety, defending reproductive rights,
expanding addiction care and supporting small businesses.
If you're ready for leadership that delivers,
I'd be honored to earn your vote.
-King County is at a crossroads,
and business as usual just isn't good enough.
Too many of our neighbors are priced out of homes
or suffering on the streets,
while our federal government is gutting healthcare
and threatening our rights and our economy.
In these challenging times,
local government must work
to protect our people and our values.
As King County Executive,
I'll meet this moment with decades of proven leadership.
I'm the only candidate who has led a large public agency,
and I've fought political resistance
to deliver big results.
I'll be King County's housing executive,
helping working people with a plan
for 44,000 affordable homes
that's been called both ambitious and achievable.
I'll build on my experience
already creating thousands of affordable homes,
shelter beds and supportive housing.
I'll prioritize public safety,
balancing accountability and compassion.
As a former public safety leader myself,
I know how to reduce gun violence and crime
at our stores and small businesses,
protecting our residents and workers.
I'll deliver on mental health and crisis intervention
to stop the revolving door to jails and emergency rooms.
I'll fight to bring light rail to West Seattle and Ballard,
just as I opened the Eastside starter line
and led the early delivery of light rail in South King County.
I'll work for safer roads, sidewalks and trails,
building on my pioneering work as former president
of the Puget Sound Regional Council.
In the face of a hostile administration,
I'll protect our environment, our healthcare,
and our rights to reproductive freedom,
LGBTQ+ equality and immigrant justice,
because King County should always be a place
where everyone belongs.
I'm proudly endorsed by the Seattle Times,
public safety leaders, firefighters, Democrats,
housing and transportation advocates, the Snoqualmie Tribe,
over 100 elected and community leaders, and more.
I'm Claudia Balducci, and my promise is simple --
proven leadership to deliver bold,
achievable results for all of King County.
I'd be honored to earn your vote.
-Metropolitan King County Council.
The King County Council
is the legislative branch of county government.
The County Council enacts laws and sets policy.
To further county policies,
they adopt 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.
In 2022, voters amended the County Charter
to move certain county offices to even-year elections.
Therefore, in 2025, the election to county council member
will be for a three-year term
instead of the normal four-year term.
The King County Council has nine members
each representing a different geographic district.
Voters must live in the district
in order to vote for a candidate representing that district.
Positions 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 will appear on the ballot this year.
Metropolitan King County council member
is a non-partisan position.
♪♪
-Hi, I'm Sarah Perry,
your King County Council member representing District 3,
and I'm running for reelection
to continue fighting for your priorities
on the King County Council.
In my first term, I've held over 700 meetings
and received thousands of responses
to an annual district wide survey
to learn what matters most to you.
I've listened,
and I've delivered over $275 million in local investments
on your priorities with roads, bridges,
safe communities and the environment
as your stated top priorities.
I've worked hard to expand access
to safe and reliable transit,
secure federal funding for the new East Rail Bike Trail,
prepare for light rail expansion,
and support funding for Snoqualmie Valley Transit.
I've also successfully increased investments
in our sheriff's deputies
for more patrols throughout unincorporated areas.
I prioritized our clean water, healthy habitats and open spaces
and fought for our district's fair share of investments
in extreme weather and emergency preparedness.
Committed to developing housing of all types
for all income levels,
I've created zoning incentives to build more housing units,
as well as dedicated more than $166 million
for affordable and supportive housing.
As a mom and former small business owner,
I understand the financial pressures we face and
the need to remove unnecessary barriers to success for all.
I've been a champion for our urban and rural economies,
as well as supporting small businesses and farms
at every opportunity.
I'm grateful to have earned the endorsement of over 200 elected
and local leaders, including the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe,
Congresswoman Schrier, Governor Ferguson,
nine local mayors, Washington Conservation Action,
Planned Parenthood Advocates Alliance,
the Affordable Housing Council,
Local Democrats and many more seen at electsarahperry.org.
I'm Sarah Perry,
and I would be honored to earn your vote to ensure
that all of our families can thrive now and into the future.
Thank you.
-Hi, I'm council member Rob Wotton,
and I'm running for the King County Council
because we deserve real leadership
that puts people first.
I'm in this race for entrepreneurs
who create jobs, for the small business owners
who build our roads and homes,
for the farmers who preserve our land and feed our families,
for the young parents raising the next generation of doers,
for the teachers who inspire our kids,
and the first responders and healthcare professionals
who keep us safe and well,
and for the seniors who deserve to age with dignity
in the communities they love.
Our communities are special.
This isn't Seattle. We're made up of tight-knit towns
with grit, heart, and pride.
And we deserve leadership that sees us,
hears us, and fights for us.
For over a decade, I've done just that.
I've brought together housing experts,
community leaders and advocates to tackle our housing crisis,
because I want my kids and yours to have the choice to live here.
As a banker, I've stood beside small business owners
through their hardest days.
During COVID, I helped secure over $3 million in aid
to help keep their doors open.
Then I built snowvalleyjobs.com,
connecting over 50,000 job seekers with 150 employers,
because I believe in keeping jobs local.
As public safety chair
in one of the safest cities in Washington,
I know what it takes to protect our neighborhoods.
Public safety must be our top priority,
not a bargaining chip for higher taxes.
Those who commit crimes should do time, get the help they need,
and we must keep our communities safe.
I'll bring accountability to the council,
how they spend your money.
Together, we can build a stronger,
safer and more affordable King County.
I'll fight for the services we deserve
and ensure every community across our district thrives.
I'm Rob Wotton. I lead by listening, by showing up
and by delivering real results.
I'd be honored to earn your vote.
♪♪
-Hi, I'm Peter Kwon.
I've lived in King County for over 35 years.
For the past decade,
I have served the people of SeaTac on the City Council.
Now I'm running for King County Council District 5.
I don't just talk about problems, I solve them.
I have the experience and track record to prove it.
If you want real leadership that delivers positive change
for you and your neighbors, I hope I have your vote.
A recent audit showed King County has
very serious financial problems.
I've faced this challenge before.
When I first took office, SeaTac had a huge budget deficit.
Instead of raising taxes,
I combed through every budget item.
I found savings of 40%.
Simple things like switching the city's
printing services to a local family business
saved money.
That helped turn the budget deficit around
into a $2.5 million surplus.
Without raising tax rates,
we improved police response time by over 40%
and increased funding for human services by nearly 92%.
We built over 2,000 affordable housing units
near light rail stations
so working families can get to work.
King County has real strengths and real challenges.
We need smarter budgeting, not more taxes.
I'll push for fiscal accountability and transparency
so that taxpayers know their money is improving their lives.
I'll bring that same community-first leadership
I've led in SeaTac,
like launching home child care services
and secure mailbox programs.
Let's build a King County that's safer, fairer,
and stronger for everyone.
Please vote for Peter Kwon.
Thank you.
-Hi, I'm Steffanie Fain,
and I'm running to be your next King County Council member
for District 5.
South King County deserves strong leadership
that delivers real results.
For too long,
our community has been overlooked
when it comes to resources and support.
I'm running for King County Council to prioritize our needs,
hold down everyday costs, strengthen public safety,
build more housing, and improve access
to mental health and addiction treatment services.
We are all tired of broken systems and empty promises.
As an attorney, public school mom and PTSA member,
and president of the Harborview Board of Trustees,
I've spent my career bringing people together
to solve problems.
I know how to get resources where they're needed
and will hold leaders accountable to deliver results.
That's the kind of experience and urgency
South King County needs right now.
As the only Democrat and only candidate in this race
who has successfully led a regional governing body,
I'm proud to be endorsed by Congressman Adam Smith,
King County Executive Shannon Braddock,
all six District 5 mayors, the Seattle Times,
the King County Democrats and 47th L.D. Democrats,
and a broad coalition of labor unions, business leaders,
first responders and community advocates
who trust me to make real progress on affordability,
safety and homelessness.
My husband and I live here with our two sons
and extended family nearby.
I also coach youth basketball, serve on nonprofit boards,
and volunteer with neighbors
to strengthen South King County from the ground up.
This is our home, and I'm committed to building a safer,
more affordable future for all of us.
I'd be honored to earn your vote.
♪♪
-Hello, I'm Maya Vengadasalam,
and I'm running for King County Council
to bring responsible leadership and a future focused vision
to District 7.
For over two decades,
I worked alongside individuals and organizations
across the region,
always focused on making a positive impact.
And as an accountant, I understand the importance
of fiscal responsibility and transparency
in managing budgets,
optimizing processes,
and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used efficiently.
These practices are the foundations
of a healthy government.
Serving as a school board director,
president and legislative representative for eight years
taught me that real change happens when we work together.
Government should be about accountability,
accessibility and genuinely serving the people.
That's why I'm focusing on four key priorities.
First, let's talk about transparency and accountability.
Tax dollars need to be spent wisely,
and decisions must be clear and accessible
to everyone they impact.
Second, economic growth is essential
to strengthen communities,
providing support for local businesses,
workforce development and fair opportunities for all.
Third, affordable housing is crucial.
We need effective solutions to reduce homelessness
and ensure everyone has access to safe, stable homes.
And finally, public safety and education.
It's all about building partnerships
to make our neighborhoods safer
and to strengthen lifelong learning
so that our communities can grow stronger together.
My past service in these areas
has earned me multiple recognition and support
from community organizations and leaders,
because leadership isn't about promises, it's about results.
And I'm ready to roll up my sleeves,
work across differences and deliver meaningful progress.
I would be honored to earn your vote.
Thank you.
♪♪
-Hi, I'm Jude Anthony.
I'm running for King County Council
to give our community a voice and solve the problems
we've all faced since before I moved here --
unaffordable housing, congested commutes,
an unbalanced property tax system and public safety fears.
We can fix these issues,
but it will take a vision, action and persistence.
We need open minds
that seek input from the people affected by their decisions.
At Amazon,
I built a successful software developer training program
for underrepresented employees
by proactively seeking input from struggling learners.
In my campaign,
I'm building connections with local aid groups
and community members.
As council member, I will ensure your voice is heard
by holding community meetings before voting on legislation.
We need representatives who take action.
I've spent my campaign volunteering at food banks,
organizing charity drives
and participating in cleanup projects.
Investing in social services
saves us money by reducing the need for emergency medical care
and criminal justice services.
As council member,
I'll prioritize funding the essential groups
that are already doing the work to keep us fed,
sheltered and safe.
We need problem solvers with new ideas.
I have 30 years of career experience
solving complex problems with evidence based solutions.
I plan to replace our broken property and sales tax systems
with fair, sustainable revenue streams.
With the political will,
we can enact the changes our community desperately needs.
I am proud to be endorsed by 314 Action,
King County Democrats, and others
on the growing list at electjude.com.
If you give me the chance,
I will leverage the funding and weight of King County
to secure food, housing,
healthcare and an opportunity for success for all of us.
-Hi, I'm Reagan Dunn.
It's been my privilege to be your advocate
on the King County Council.
I'm running for re-election
to fight against new and unnecessary taxes,
higher fees, and government spending at all levels
that are making it harder for working families
to be able to live and afford to be in King County.
I'm proud to have earned the endorsement
of all nine nonpartisan mayors in the district,
in addition to numerous police and firefighters
first responders,
and many prominent Democrats and Republicans.
And I have also been honored as Washington State's
Outstanding Local Elected Official of the Year.
County government faces significant challenges.
I will work hard to give law enforcement the tools
they need to reduce crime.
And I will fight to keep your taxes low.
I will continue to prioritize government spending
so that critical emergency services and road maintenance
are properly funded.
Additionally, I'm the only member
of the King County Council with criminal justice experience,
having spent many years working for the Department of Justice.
I was appointed by President George Bush
and served as a federal prosecutor
with top secret security clearance in Seattle.
I worked in the Terrorism and Violent Crime Unit
of the US Attorney's Office,
and I also led the Justice Department's national initiative
to fight gun violence across the country.
Here, I'm committed to finding real solutions
to our regional homelessness crisis,
and I will continue to help those
who suffer from drug and alcohol addiction.
Environmental stewardship
and protecting open space in our region
is also a key priority of mine.
If re-elected, I will use my knowledge of the district,
combined with years of private sector and government
experience, to help King County continue its path
towards a more efficient and accountable government.
Remember, I work for you, and I appreciate 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,
Fisherman'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.
There are five commissioners
serving on the Port of Seattle Commission.
Port Commission positions 1, 3 and 4
will appear on the ballot this year.
All voters in King County can vote for a commissioner
in each position.
Port commissioners serve a four-year term.
♪♪
-I'm Ryan Calkins, your port commissioner,
and I work every day to make the Port of Seattle
the greenest port in North America,
to create living wage careers for local families
and to ensure the best possible experience
for our passengers and partners at SEA and at the seaport.
I'm running for re-election to continue these efforts
and to build a port aligned with our community's
forward-thinking priorities and values.
Our port is an economic engine for the region,
supporting countless jobs and driving economic growth.
That's why I've invested in workforce development,
supported local businesses,
and ensured that the benefits of port activity
are shared equitably.
With your support, I will continue to prioritize
the creation of high quality, family sustaining jobs
for our community.
We have a responsibility to be a leader
in environmental sustainability.
Towards that goal, I have led on the transition
to zero emission vessels and equipment,
improved efficiency and worked with airlines,
shippers and fleet owners
to transition to sustainable energy.
I will continue to decarbonize our operations,
clean up legacy contamination,
and reduce local air and water pollution.
We strive for SEA to be a world class airport
for the millions of passengers and thousands
of small businesses who connect with the airport.
At the port, I have advanced improvements
in passenger experiences, including innovations
that expedite the process
from the moment you arrive at the airport,
and invested in facility improvements, as well.
Let's continue to make our seaport best in class
on the West Coast to build on our history
as a maritime region.
Local leaders and community organizations
have endorsed me for my proven record of success
in sustainability and job growth,
and I hope you'll support me this November.
♪♪
-Hi, my name is Hamdi Mohamed,
and I'm honored to serve as your Port of Seattle Commissioner.
Since joining the port in 2021,
I served as Commission President and Audit Committee Chair,
where my focus has been on transparency,
accountability and delivering results.
As someone who was raised in a working class family
by a truck driver and an airport worker
who worked hard to make ends meet,
I know how poor decisions impact real lives,
from the jobs people depend on
to the goods that keep our community moving.
I'm a proud public servant who leads with policies
that put people first.
In the last four years,
on behalf of King County residents,
I approved a record breaking $5.6 billion
capital improvement plan.
What does that mean? That means more jobs,
more contracts for local businesses,
and a better experience at our airport and seaport.
I also secured $19.4 million for community programs,
supporting everything from environmental projects
to job trainings,
and I led the effort to permanently protect
North SeaTac Park,
because our trees protect our air, our health,
and they strengthen our communities.
I also co-sponsored the nation's first shore power mandate,
requiring that all cruise ships plug into a clean electricity,
cutting emissions by 80%.
And since I joined the port,
we've doubled investments in workforce development,
expanding programs
like the Maritime Youth Career Launch Program
to open doors for the next generation.
I'm running for re-election to keep delivering results for you
and because now more than ever,
we need local governments that will stand strong,
that will defend our values and protect people
from the current presidential administration's
harmful policies.
My name is Hamdi Mohamed, and I hope to earn your vote.
Thank you.
♪♪
-Hi, I'm Port of Seattle commissioner Toshiko Hasegawa,
and I'd be honored to have your vote
for my re-election campaign.
I've drawn on six years
as an agency head in the Inslee administration
to promote job creation and operational excellence.
While governments statewide face budget shortfalls,
the Port of Seattle is in excellent financial condition.
We're delivering on $5.3 billion in capital projects,
creating family wage jobs and contracts for local businesses.
Under my leadership,
we've expanded access to careers for underserved communities
through agreements with labor,
formal partnerships with three tribes,
investments in education, apprenticeships,
and the green jobs initiative.
We've improved our contracting processes
and our policies to increase spend
with minority and women owned businesses.
As a mom, I want all of our children
to inherit an even brighter future.
We must act now.
I introduced the Teal New Deal,
my plan to decarbonize maritime
and activate industrial lands to manufacture,
warehouse and transport clean energy.
This coordination promotes sustainability worldwide
while creating generational jobs locally for the next 50 years.
We also remediate contaminated sites
and opened the Duwamish River People's Park,
where juvenile salmon have since returned.
I'll meet federal threats to our economy
by creating opportunities for people to thrive.
Let's ensure communities countywide benefit
from the $929 million economic boom from FIFA 2026.
My approach works.
The economy, environment and equity advance together.
It's our triple bottom line.
I'm honored to represent you,
and I'd be honored to have your vote.
-You have just seen the video statements
submitted by proponents of King County Proposition 1,
and candidates running for King County Executive,
Metropolitan King County Council
and the Port of Seattle Commission.
Ballots will be mailed to all registered voters on October 15.
For questions regarding voter registration, your ballot,
or answers to other election related questions,
visit the King County Elections website
at www.kingcounty.gov/elections,
or call 206-296-VOTE.
All ballots must be returned on or before November 4.
You can return your ballot to a ballot drop-box,
no stamp required.
Ballots returned to a drop-box
must be delivered by 8 p.m. Election Day, November 4.
Or you can return your ballot by mail.
You do not need a stamp to return your ballot by mail.
Just drop your completed signed ballot in a USPS mailbox.
It must be postmarked by Election Day, November 4.
We recommend mailing your ballot by October 31
to make sure it gets postmarked in time.
Or you can go to a Vote Center.
King County Vote Centers are available
to voters who need assistance completing their ballot.
Trained staff and specialized equipment are available
to help voters with disabilities
cast a private, independent ballot.
To find a Vote Center or a drop-box in King County,
visit the King County Elections website
at www.kingcounty.gov/elections,
or call 206-296-VOTE.
That's 206-296-8683.
Thanks for joining us.
This program is a collaboration
of the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission,
the Seattle Channel, and King County TV.
We'd like to hear from you about the Video Voters' Guide.
To comment on this guide please call 206-684-8500
or email ethicsandelections@seattle.gov.