-When I talk to people across King County,
I hear the same thing over and over.
Housing is too expensive.
More neighbors are living outside than ever before.
Too many communities don't feel safe.
And after decades of failed promises and business as usual,
we are all frustrated.
I'm Girmay Zahilay,
and I'm running for King 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 experience.
I was raised in south King County by a single mother
after our family arrived here as refugees.
We experienced homelessness, lived in public housing,
and relied on food stamps.
I know how hard it is to make ends meet.
Today I'm a husband and a father raising my own family here.
That's what drives me to make government work
better for everyone.
That experience also led me to a life of public service.
I worked in the Obama White House,
practiced law at top national firms,
led anti-poverty policy efforts,
and founded and ran a national youth education nonprofit.
I've spent my career expanding opportunity
and delivering results.
As council chair,
I led the work to fund new crisis care centers
to address the addiction crisis,
pass eviction prevention laws to keep thousands housed,
create King County's gun violence prevention strategy,
and invest in thousands of new units of affordable homes
near public transit.
This is what urgent, effective leadership looks like.
That's why I'm proud to be endorsed
by Governor Bob Ferguson, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal,
Attorney General Nick Brown, the King County Democrats,
labor unions, and dozens of local leaders.
They believe in the future we're building together.
As executive, I'll tackle our biggest challenges head on,
fighting homelessness with urgency,
improving public safety, defending reproductive rights,
expanding addiction care, addressing climate change,
and helping small businesses thrive.
If you're ready for leadership that delivers,
I'd be honored to earn your vote.