1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,201
♪♪

2
00:00:01,201 --> 00:00:07,774
♪♪

3
00:00:07,774 --> 00:00:11,578
-Welcome to the 2026 King
County General Election

4
00:00:11,578 --> 00:00:13,146
Video Voters’ Guide,

5
00:00:13,146 --> 00:00:16,216
your chance to hear directly
from the participants

6
00:00:16,216 --> 00:00:19,619
appearing on the November
3rd General Election ballot.

7
00:00:19,619 --> 00:00:21,855
This is a vote-by-mail election.

8
00:00:21,855 --> 00:00:25,392
Instead of going to a polling
place, ballots will be sent

9
00:00:25,392 --> 00:00:27,027
to all registered voters.

10
00:00:27,027 --> 00:00:30,363
All ballots must be
returned on or before

11
00:00:30,363 --> 00:00:32,699
Election Day, November 3rd.

12
00:00:32,699 --> 00:00:36,102
Each statement is up to two
minutes long and unedited.

13
00:00:36,102 --> 00:00:39,139
The speakers appear on your
screen in the order they

14
00:00:39,139 --> 00:00:40,707
will appear on the ballot.

15
00:00:40,707 --> 00:00:44,010
The candidates appearing in
this video are running for King

16
00:00:44,010 --> 00:00:47,714
County Prosecuting Attorney,
King County Assessor, King

17
00:00:47,714 --> 00:00:51,317
County Elections Director,
and the Metropolitan

18
00:00:51,317 --> 00:00:52,852
King County Council.

19
00:00:52,852 --> 00:00:55,388
All the elective positions
included in this

20
00:00:55,388 --> 00:00:56,790
guide are nonpartisan.

21
00:00:58,124 --> 00:00:59,826
♪♪

22
00:01:00,160 --> 00:01:01,594
King County Prosecuting Attorney.

23
00:01:02,629 --> 00:01:06,466
The Prosecuting Attorney's
Office represents the state

24
00:01:06,466 --> 00:01:10,003
and county in both criminal
and civil legal matters.

25
00:01:10,003 --> 00:01:12,906
They prosecute felonies
in King County and

26
00:01:12,906 --> 00:01:16,543
misdemeanors in unincorporated
areas of the county.

27
00:01:16,543 --> 00:01:20,146
The King County Prosecuting
Attorney is the legal advisor

28
00:01:20,146 --> 00:01:23,416
and advocate for Metropolitan
King County Council,

29
00:01:23,416 --> 00:01:26,853
the county executive,
and executive agencies,

30
00:01:26,853 --> 00:01:29,989
superior and district
courts, the county assessor,

31
00:01:29,989 --> 00:01:32,759
and independent boards
and commissions.

32
00:01:32,759 --> 00:01:36,463
The prosecuting attorney is
elected to a four-year term.

33
00:01:36,463 --> 00:01:38,898
All voters in King
County can vote for the

34
00:01:38,898 --> 00:01:40,333
prosecuting attorney.

35
00:01:42,202 --> 00:01:44,270
-Hi, I'm Leesa Manion.

36
00:01:44,270 --> 00:01:47,507
It has been the personal and
professional honor of my life

37
00:01:47,507 --> 00:01:51,044
to serve as your King County
Prosecuting Attorney.

38
00:01:51,044 --> 00:01:53,980
I have spent the past four
years fulfilling my promise

39
00:01:53,980 --> 00:01:57,517
to keep our neighborhoods
safe, reduce property crime,

40
00:01:57,517 --> 00:02:00,153
and protect survivors
and the most vulnerable.

41
00:02:01,254 --> 00:02:03,823
Keeping that commitment
requires proven vision

42
00:02:03,823 --> 00:02:07,093
and hands-on leadership
and experience,

43
00:02:07,093 --> 00:02:09,896
skills that I possess and have
strengthened while in office.

44
00:02:11,030 --> 00:02:13,099
Over the past four years,
I have expanded support

45
00:02:13,099 --> 00:02:17,003
for survivors of domestic
violence and sexual assault.

46
00:02:17,003 --> 00:02:19,973
I've invested in alternative
sentencing for veterans,

47
00:02:19,973 --> 00:02:22,208
youth, and individuals
facing behavioral health

48
00:02:22,208 --> 00:02:24,144
and addiction challenges.

49
00:02:24,144 --> 00:02:28,014
I have also prioritized
juvenile justice reform.

50
00:02:28,014 --> 00:02:30,316
And my commitment to
reducing gun violence

51
00:02:30,316 --> 00:02:35,688
shows in a nearly 50% reduction
in gun homicides since 2023.

52
00:02:35,688 --> 00:02:38,291
I also work to enact
Washington's strongest

53
00:02:38,291 --> 00:02:40,994
extreme risk protection
order policies,

54
00:02:40,994 --> 00:02:45,298
a statewide ban on high-capacity
magazines and ghost guns,

55
00:02:45,298 --> 00:02:47,000
and tools that help
law enforcement

56
00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:49,335
track weapons used in crime.

57
00:02:49,335 --> 00:02:51,437
I am proud that my
office protected

58
00:02:51,437 --> 00:02:55,808
$364 million in federal grants
that the current administration

59
00:02:55,808 --> 00:02:58,411
tried to take away
from King County.

60
00:02:58,411 --> 00:03:00,113
Instead, those dollars
have been invested

61
00:03:00,113 --> 00:03:03,016
to support affordable
housing, transportation,

62
00:03:03,016 --> 00:03:05,451
and public health services.

63
00:03:05,451 --> 00:03:08,354
I am proud of what has been
accomplished over the past four

64
00:03:08,354 --> 00:03:11,658
years, that I have developed
fair and effective criminal

65
00:03:11,658 --> 00:03:15,061
justice policies and reforms,
that I led a team of nearly

66
00:03:15,061 --> 00:03:18,898
600 professionals, and that I
have built trusted partnerships

67
00:03:18,898 --> 00:03:23,169
with law enforcement, public
defenders, business and

68
00:03:23,169 --> 00:03:26,739
community leaders, and advocates
for equity and justice.

69
00:03:26,739 --> 00:03:29,375
But there is still
important work to do.

70
00:03:29,375 --> 00:03:32,178
I am ready to build on our
efforts to ensure that our

71
00:03:32,178 --> 00:03:35,682
county is safe for everyone and
to continue to make a difference

72
00:03:35,682 --> 00:03:37,217
in all parts of King County.

73
00:03:37,217 --> 00:03:38,218
♪♪♪

74
00:03:39,085 --> 00:03:47,126
♪♪

75
00:03:47,126 --> 00:03:47,627
♪♪

76
00:03:49,062 --> 00:03:50,430
♪♪

77
00:03:51,130 --> 00:03:54,734
-King County Assessor. The
King County Assessor

78
00:03:54,734 --> 00:03:58,404
oversees the assessment of
residential and commercial

79
00:03:58,404 --> 00:04:01,407
properties in King County,
as well as personal

80
00:04:01,407 --> 00:04:03,343
property used by businesses.

81
00:04:03,343 --> 00:04:06,813
These values are used to
calculate property taxes

82
00:04:06,813 --> 00:04:10,216
and to calculate property
tax levy rates for King

83
00:04:10,216 --> 00:04:12,018
County taxing districts.

84
00:04:12,018 --> 00:04:14,754
The assessor serves
a four-year term.

85
00:04:14,754 --> 00:04:18,691
All voters in King County are
eligible to vote in this race.

86
00:04:20,360 --> 00:04:22,695
-Hello, my name is Rob
Foxcurran, and I'm running

87
00:04:22,695 --> 00:04:24,063
for King County Assessor.

88
00:04:24,063 --> 00:04:24,797
I grew up here.

89
00:04:24,797 --> 00:04:26,833
I graduated from
Seattle Public Schools

90
00:04:26,833 --> 00:04:28,401
before graduating from the UW.

91
00:04:28,401 --> 00:04:31,037
Today, my wife and I live on
Beacon Hill in Seattle with

92
00:04:31,037 --> 00:04:33,940
our soon-to-be two daughters,
who I'm proud to say are both

93
00:04:33,940 --> 00:04:35,675
sixth-generation Seattleites.

94
00:04:35,675 --> 00:04:37,076
This is home.

95
00:04:37,076 --> 00:04:39,279
Now, whether you rent
or own your home,

96
00:04:39,279 --> 00:04:41,214
costs keep rising,
and property taxes

97
00:04:41,214 --> 00:04:42,815
are a part of that story.

98
00:04:42,815 --> 00:04:44,384
The assessor doesn't
set tax rates,

99
00:04:44,384 --> 00:04:47,420
but they do determine the value
of every property in the county.

100
00:04:47,420 --> 00:04:49,922
Those values shape what you pay.

101
00:04:49,922 --> 00:04:51,291
That's why I'm running.

102
00:04:51,291 --> 00:04:53,693
This is a technical
office that requires real

103
00:04:53,693 --> 00:04:54,994
expertise to run well.

104
00:04:54,994 --> 00:04:56,663
I may not be an
elected politician,

105
00:04:56,663 --> 00:04:59,499
but I am an expert and
proven leader in my field.

106
00:04:59,499 --> 00:05:01,834
I'm the only candidate and
progressive in this race

107
00:05:01,834 --> 00:05:04,103
that has spent over a decade
as a certified general

108
00:05:04,103 --> 00:05:05,305
real estate appraiser.

109
00:05:05,305 --> 00:05:08,074
I currently serve as the City
of Seattle's senior appraiser,

110
00:05:08,074 --> 00:05:10,610
where I'm also a shop
steward with PROTEC17.

111
00:05:10,610 --> 00:05:13,513
For the past three years, I also
served as a hearing examiner

112
00:05:13,513 --> 00:05:15,915
on the King County Board of
Appeals and Equalization.

113
00:05:15,915 --> 00:05:19,319
That's where folks go to appeal
their property's assessed value.

114
00:05:19,319 --> 00:05:20,953
There, I watched
corporate landowners

115
00:05:20,953 --> 00:05:23,890
pay teams of consultants to
help slash their tax bills.

116
00:05:23,890 --> 00:05:26,225
I've seen the system from
every seat at the table.

117
00:05:26,225 --> 00:05:28,995
I know where it works, and I
know where it falls short.

118
00:05:28,995 --> 00:05:30,797
King County currently ranks
near the bottom nationally

119
00:05:30,797 --> 00:05:32,732
in commercial
property tax fairness.

120
00:05:32,732 --> 00:05:34,934
When the wealthiest corporations
don't pay their share,

121
00:05:34,934 --> 00:05:37,837
that burden shifts directly
onto your shoulders.

122
00:05:37,837 --> 00:05:40,273
We need a professional
to balance these scales.

123
00:05:40,273 --> 00:05:43,676
My plan for real affordability
includes three core shifts.

124
00:05:43,676 --> 00:05:45,244
First, we need
modernized payments.

125
00:05:45,244 --> 00:05:46,679
I will fight for
monthly payment options

126
00:05:46,679 --> 00:05:48,815
so families can actually budget.

127
00:05:48,815 --> 00:05:50,683
Second, we need to expand
the county's efforts

128
00:05:50,683 --> 00:05:53,286
in signing seniors, veterans,
and neighbors with disabilities

129
00:05:53,286 --> 00:05:56,489
up for the exemption programs
they are already qualified for.

130
00:05:56,489 --> 00:05:59,492
And third, I'm pushing for a
universal homestead exemption.

131
00:05:59,492 --> 00:06:00,460
What does that mean?

132
00:06:00,460 --> 00:06:03,763
It means that a portion of your
primary residence, your home,

133
00:06:03,763 --> 00:06:05,465
is exempt from property taxes.

134
00:06:05,465 --> 00:06:06,532
Why does that matter?

135
00:06:06,532 --> 00:06:08,434
Because we're in the
middle of a housing crisis

136
00:06:08,434 --> 00:06:10,336
and an affordability
crisis, and no one should

137
00:06:10,336 --> 00:06:12,739
ever be taxed out of
their own neighborhood.

138
00:06:12,739 --> 00:06:15,375
I'm Rob Foxcurran, candidate
for King County Assessor, and

139
00:06:15,375 --> 00:06:17,877
I would be honored to earn
your support in our effort to

140
00:06:17,877 --> 00:06:19,612
prioritize people over property.

141
00:06:19,612 --> 00:06:20,179
Thank you.

142
00:06:22,148 --> 00:06:24,450
-I'm Dominique Scarimbolo,
and I'm running for

143
00:06:24,450 --> 00:06:25,818
King County Assessor.

144
00:06:26,953 --> 00:06:30,857
You should be able to understand
how your property was assessed.

145
00:06:30,857 --> 00:06:33,259
You should be able
to ask questions and

146
00:06:33,259 --> 00:06:34,761
receive clear answers.

147
00:06:34,761 --> 00:06:37,063
And when you challenge
government, you deserve

148
00:06:37,063 --> 00:06:39,465
to be treated as an equal,
not as though government

149
00:06:39,465 --> 00:06:42,902
is automatically right and
you are automatically wrong

150
00:06:42,902 --> 00:06:44,570
until you prove otherwise.

151
00:06:44,570 --> 00:06:47,306
That is not the culture
taxpayers deserve and it is

152
00:06:47,306 --> 00:06:48,941
not the government we pay for.

153
00:06:49,942 --> 00:06:53,780
You deserve an assessor willing
to acknowledge when the system

154
00:06:53,780 --> 00:06:56,849
isn't working as it should,
someone willing to question

155
00:06:56,849 --> 00:06:59,118
the status quo, measure
whether assessments

156
00:06:59,118 --> 00:07:01,854
are actually producing
fair and uniform results,

157
00:07:01,854 --> 00:07:04,657
and make meaningful
changes when they aren't.

158
00:07:05,758 --> 00:07:09,662
Government should be judged by
the results, not intentions.

159
00:07:09,662 --> 00:07:11,731
You deserve transparency.

160
00:07:11,731 --> 00:07:15,802
You deserve meaningful due
process, timely appeals,

161
00:07:15,802 --> 00:07:18,938
consistent standards, and
an assessment system that

162
00:07:18,938 --> 00:07:21,007
answers to the people it serves.

163
00:07:21,007 --> 00:07:24,977
But most importantly,
you deserve leadership.

164
00:07:25,645 --> 00:07:28,848
The elected assessor isn't
simply another appraiser.

165
00:07:28,848 --> 00:07:31,951
The assessor leads an entire
department responsible

166
00:07:31,951 --> 00:07:34,754
for a system
affecting every property

167
00:07:34,754 --> 00:07:37,323
owner throughout our county.

168
00:07:37,323 --> 00:07:40,726
That requires someone willing
to provide real oversight,

169
00:07:40,726 --> 00:07:45,932
demand accountability, listen to
taxpayers and fight for reform.

170
00:07:45,932 --> 00:07:48,167
Some changes can be made
directly within the

171
00:07:48,167 --> 00:07:50,670
assessor's office, others
require cooperation

172
00:07:50,670 --> 00:07:53,372
from the county or
state, and some require

173
00:07:53,372 --> 00:07:54,807
changes to state law.

174
00:07:55,475 --> 00:07:57,877
I am willing to fight
wherever we need it.

175
00:07:58,911 --> 00:08:01,848
My campaign isn't about
making minor adjustments

176
00:08:01,848 --> 00:08:02,882
to the status quo.

177
00:08:02,882 --> 00:08:06,385
It's about meaningful,
system-wide reforms that protect

178
00:08:06,385 --> 00:08:10,423
taxpayers, strengthen property
rights and help ensure people

179
00:08:10,423 --> 00:08:12,592
aren't taxed out of their homes.

180
00:08:12,592 --> 00:08:14,427
You deserve change.

181
00:08:14,427 --> 00:08:17,697
You deserve an assessor
who answers to you.

182
00:08:18,097 --> 00:08:20,166
♪♪

183
00:08:20,399 --> 00:08:22,468
-King County Elections Director.

184
00:08:22,468 --> 00:08:24,837
The King County
Elections Director is

185
00:08:24,837 --> 00:08:28,841
responsible for conducting
elections and overseeing voter

186
00:08:28,841 --> 00:08:32,345
registration and voter
education in King County.

187
00:08:32,345 --> 00:08:35,314
The King County Elections
Director serves

188
00:08:35,314 --> 00:08:36,549
a four-year term.

189
00:08:36,549 --> 00:08:38,551
All voters in King County are

190
00:08:38,551 --> 00:08:41,220
eligible to vote in this race.

191
00:08:42,121 --> 00:08:48,094
♪♪

192
00:08:48,094 --> 00:08:49,862
♪♪

193
00:08:51,998 --> 00:08:55,234
♪♪

194
00:08:55,234 --> 00:08:57,837
Metropolitan King
County Council.

195
00:08:57,837 --> 00:09:01,541
The Metropolitan King County
Council is the legislative

196
00:09:01,541 --> 00:09:03,442
branch of county government.

197
00:09:03,442 --> 00:09:07,246
The council enacts laws,
sets policy, and adopts the

198
00:09:07,246 --> 00:09:09,315
county's operating budget.

199
00:09:09,315 --> 00:09:12,251
The operating budget
includes spending for

200
00:09:12,251 --> 00:09:15,454
areas such as public
health and human services,

201
00:09:15,454 --> 00:09:19,258
Metro Transit, wastewater
treatment, the criminal

202
00:09:19,258 --> 00:09:22,995
justice system, and regional
parks and open space.

203
00:09:22,995 --> 00:09:26,632
The Metropolitan King County
Council has nine members,

204
00:09:26,632 --> 00:09:30,136
each representing a different
geographic district.

205
00:09:30,136 --> 00:09:32,738
Voters select from the
candidates representing

206
00:09:32,738 --> 00:09:34,006
their voting district.

207
00:09:34,006 --> 00:09:38,778
Positions 2, 4, 6, and 8
will appear on the General

208
00:09:38,778 --> 00:09:41,447
Election ballot this year.

209
00:09:41,514 --> 00:09:48,988
♪♪

210
00:09:51,991 --> 00:09:54,961
-I'm Rebecca Saldaña, and
I'm running for King

211
00:09:54,961 --> 00:09:58,197
County Council District
2 because working people

212
00:09:58,197 --> 00:10:01,367
deserve a county we can
actually afford to live in.

213
00:10:01,367 --> 00:10:04,670
Right now, too many people are
struggling with rising rents,

214
00:10:04,670 --> 00:10:07,873
childcare costs, health care
bills, and long commutes,

215
00:10:07,873 --> 00:10:10,309
while the wealthiest
corporations and the

216
00:10:10,309 --> 00:10:12,144
ultra-rich continue to profit.

217
00:10:12,144 --> 00:10:15,181
I'm running to build more
housing that's affordable

218
00:10:15,181 --> 00:10:18,150
at every income level, raise
wages, improve transit,

219
00:10:18,150 --> 00:10:21,420
expand behavioral health care,
and make childcare more

220
00:10:21,420 --> 00:10:23,623
accessible for working families.

221
00:10:23,623 --> 00:10:26,592
As a daughter of a Mexican
immigrant farm worker who

222
00:10:26,592 --> 00:10:29,829
later became a machinist,
I know what economic

223
00:10:29,829 --> 00:10:33,933
insecurity looks like, and
I know how transformative

224
00:10:33,933 --> 00:10:37,203
good union jobs and vibrant
communities can be.

225
00:10:37,203 --> 00:10:40,072
That's what has shaped
my life and my work.

226
00:10:40,072 --> 00:10:42,375
Before elected office,
I organized alongside

227
00:10:42,375 --> 00:10:44,977
janitors and farm workers
fighting for dignity

228
00:10:44,977 --> 00:10:45,978
and fair wages.

229
00:10:45,978 --> 00:10:48,581
In the state Senate, I've
spent the last decade

230
00:10:48,581 --> 00:10:50,549
delivering real
progressive change,

231
00:10:50,549 --> 00:10:53,319
helping pass the capital
gains and millionaire's tax

232
00:10:53,319 --> 00:10:55,821
so the wealthiest pay
more towards the services

233
00:10:55,821 --> 00:10:58,658
we all rely on, passing
one of the strongest

234
00:10:58,658 --> 00:11:01,293
paid family medical and leave
programs in the country,

235
00:11:01,293 --> 00:11:03,529
and sponsoring the Domestic
Workers' Bill of Rights

236
00:11:03,529 --> 00:11:05,798
to protect care workers
and immigrant workers

237
00:11:05,798 --> 00:11:08,534
too often excluded from
labor protections.

238
00:11:08,534 --> 00:11:10,903
I've also fought for
major investments in

239
00:11:10,903 --> 00:11:13,639
affordable housing,
transit, climate justice,

240
00:11:13,639 --> 00:11:15,975
and safer, healthier
communities.

241
00:11:15,975 --> 00:11:19,178
Now, I'm ready to bring that
proven leadership to the King

242
00:11:19,178 --> 00:11:22,548
County Council because meeting
this moment will require

243
00:11:22,548 --> 00:11:25,718
leaders willing to stand
up to powerful interests

244
00:11:25,718 --> 00:11:29,021
and fight unapologetically
for working people.

245
00:11:29,021 --> 00:11:31,590
I'm honored to have the sole
endorsement of the King County

246
00:11:31,590 --> 00:11:34,293
Democrats as well as the
endorsements of King County

247
00:11:34,293 --> 00:11:37,029
Councilmembers Teresa
Mosqueda, Sarah Perry,

248
00:11:37,029 --> 00:11:39,131
Claudia Balducci, and
many more progressive

249
00:11:39,131 --> 00:11:41,100
labor unions and
community leaders.

250
00:11:41,100 --> 00:11:43,869
I'd be honored to
earn your support.

251
00:11:46,105 --> 00:11:49,141
-As a fourth-generation
Japanese American and mom of

252
00:11:49,141 --> 00:11:51,644
two, I'm proud to raise my
family in the same Beacon

253
00:11:51,644 --> 00:11:53,879
Hill home that my grandparents
bought after being

254
00:11:53,879 --> 00:11:56,415
released from World War
II concentration camps.

255
00:11:56,415 --> 00:11:58,084
But the fight to
stay rooted here

256
00:11:58,084 --> 00:11:59,218
is harder than ever.

257
00:11:59,218 --> 00:12:01,754
Too many neighbors leave
because politicians

258
00:12:01,754 --> 00:12:04,190
haven't made affordability
the priority.

259
00:12:04,190 --> 00:12:06,192
I believe everyone
should be able

260
00:12:06,192 --> 00:12:09,028
to live in the place that
they love and call home.

261
00:12:09,028 --> 00:12:11,931
I'm ready to take this
fight to the next level.

262
00:12:11,931 --> 00:12:13,733
I served on transition teams

263
00:12:13,733 --> 00:12:16,769
for Governor Ferguson,
Executive Zahilay, and

264
00:12:16,769 --> 00:12:19,872
Mayor Wilson because they
trust my expertise and

265
00:12:19,872 --> 00:12:21,173
ability to deliver.

266
00:12:21,173 --> 00:12:22,942
Now, King County must deliver

267
00:12:22,942 --> 00:12:26,579
the housing, childcare, and
transportation infrastructure

268
00:12:26,579 --> 00:12:27,613
that people need.

269
00:12:27,613 --> 00:12:30,082
As Port Commissioner,
I championed childcare

270
00:12:30,082 --> 00:12:33,252
solutions, job opportunities,
and delivered over $5

271
00:12:33,252 --> 00:12:36,655
billion in capital projects
on time and on budget.

272
00:12:36,655 --> 00:12:39,792
Before the Port Commission,
I worked at King County,

273
00:12:39,792 --> 00:12:42,762
where I served vulnerable
communities by advancing equity

274
00:12:42,762 --> 00:12:44,897
and building
accountability systems.

275
00:12:44,897 --> 00:12:47,767
I understand the county and
where the opportunities

276
00:12:47,767 --> 00:12:48,701
are for improvement.

277
00:12:48,701 --> 00:12:52,071
I've delivered real reforms
and I am uniquely prepared

278
00:12:52,071 --> 00:12:54,073
to meet the needs
of our communities.

279
00:12:54,073 --> 00:12:55,574
As your next county
councilmember,

280
00:12:55,574 --> 00:12:57,610
I'll champion
anti-displacement protections

281
00:12:57,610 --> 00:12:59,945
for renters and
homeowners alike.

282
00:12:59,945 --> 00:13:02,815
I'll fight for affordable,
accessible childcare

283
00:13:02,815 --> 00:13:05,151
options for families
and demand investments

284
00:13:05,151 --> 00:13:07,586
into transportation
safety infrastructure

285
00:13:07,586 --> 00:13:09,121
to prevent deaths.

286
00:13:09,121 --> 00:13:10,923
I'll prioritize
upstream investments

287
00:13:10,923 --> 00:13:14,727
that get better outcomes for
health and public safety.

288
00:13:14,727 --> 00:13:16,762
That means fully
funding mental health

289
00:13:16,762 --> 00:13:19,265
and community-led gun violence
prevention strategies

290
00:13:19,265 --> 00:13:22,401
like after-school and
mentorship programs.

291
00:13:22,401 --> 00:13:25,337
I'm endorsed by
Executive Zahilay,

292
00:13:25,337 --> 00:13:28,374
City Attorney Erika Evans,
County Councilmember

293
00:13:28,374 --> 00:13:30,409
Teresa Mosqueda,
City Councilmembers

294
00:13:30,409 --> 00:13:32,478
Alexis Mercedes Rinck,
Eddie Lin, and

295
00:13:32,478 --> 00:13:34,580
Joy Hollingsworth,
Governor Inslee,

296
00:13:34,580 --> 00:13:37,583
legislators, labor unions,
Democratic organizations,

297
00:13:37,583 --> 00:13:41,554
and over 100 progressive
District 2 community leaders.

298
00:13:41,554 --> 00:13:44,657
Let's choose a better future.

299
00:13:45,591 --> 00:13:54,366
♪♪

300
00:13:56,035 --> 00:13:56,869
-Hello, everyone.

301
00:13:56,869 --> 00:13:58,137
My name is Jorge Barón, and

302
00:13:58,137 --> 00:14:00,406
for the past three years,
I have had the privilege

303
00:14:00,406 --> 00:14:03,008
of representing District 4
on the King County Council.

304
00:14:03,008 --> 00:14:05,044
And I'm here to share
with all of you that I'm

305
00:14:05,044 --> 00:14:07,513
running for re-election for
my county council seat.

306
00:14:07,513 --> 00:14:09,915
I'm running because there
is much more work to do

307
00:14:09,915 --> 00:14:12,318
on the local issues that
residents of District 4

308
00:14:12,318 --> 00:14:13,752
have asked me to prioritize.

309
00:14:13,752 --> 00:14:16,889
Ensuring our criminal and civil
legal systems are operating

310
00:14:16,889 --> 00:14:19,992
effectively and fairly so we
can enhance community safety.

311
00:14:19,992 --> 00:14:23,062
Stabilizing and strengthening
our homelessness response

312
00:14:23,062 --> 00:14:25,631
system so we can reduce the
number of people living

313
00:14:25,631 --> 00:14:26,832
unhoused in our region.

314
00:14:26,832 --> 00:14:29,568
Protecting our public health
clinics and investing in our

315
00:14:29,568 --> 00:14:32,104
county hospital, Harborview
Medical Center, so we can

316
00:14:32,104 --> 00:14:33,572
preserve access to health care.

317
00:14:33,572 --> 00:14:36,508
And improving the safety and
reliability of our Metro

318
00:14:36,508 --> 00:14:39,745
Transit system so we can enhance
mobility for our residents

319
00:14:39,745 --> 00:14:41,347
and protect our environment.

320
00:14:41,347 --> 00:14:44,083
My team and I have been focused
on making progress on these

321
00:14:44,083 --> 00:14:46,585
complex issues, but I know
much more work remains

322
00:14:46,585 --> 00:14:49,555
to be done, and I remain
committed to these priorities.

323
00:14:49,555 --> 00:14:51,523
I also recognize that
the reality for many

324
00:14:51,523 --> 00:14:53,692
in our community today
is very different from

325
00:14:53,692 --> 00:14:57,129
what it was in 2023 when I
first ran for this office.

326
00:14:57,129 --> 00:14:59,565
At the time, a second
Trump administration

327
00:14:59,565 --> 00:15:00,633
was a possibility.

328
00:15:00,633 --> 00:15:02,801
Today it's a reality
that is threatening the

329
00:15:02,801 --> 00:15:05,070
safety and well-being
of so many, especially

330
00:15:05,070 --> 00:15:07,907
our immigrant
and transgender neighbors.

331
00:15:07,907 --> 00:15:09,041
Particularly at a
time like this,

332
00:15:09,041 --> 00:15:10,809
I believe it is crucial
to have leaders

333
00:15:10,809 --> 00:15:13,746
in state and local government
who will be uncompromising

334
00:15:13,746 --> 00:15:16,615
in defending and advancing
our community's values

335
00:15:16,615 --> 00:15:19,952
in the face of an increasingly
chaotic federal administration,

336
00:15:19,952 --> 00:15:22,955
while also continuing to
pursue progressive policies

337
00:15:22,955 --> 00:15:25,357
that will improve the
lives of our residents.

338
00:15:25,357 --> 00:15:26,859
So I'm excited to
ask all of you,

339
00:15:26,859 --> 00:15:29,628
my neighbors in District 4,
to give me the opportunity

340
00:15:29,628 --> 00:15:30,829
to continue serving you.

341
00:15:30,829 --> 00:15:33,632
I'm honored to be endorsed
by Governor Bob Ferguson,

342
00:15:33,632 --> 00:15:36,068
Representative Pramila
Jayapal, Attorney General Nick

343
00:15:36,068 --> 00:15:39,772
Brown, King County Executive
Girmay Zahilay, King County

344
00:15:39,772 --> 00:15:42,574
Democrats, MLK Labor, and
many other organizations

345
00:15:42,574 --> 00:15:43,709
and elected leaders.

346
00:15:43,709 --> 00:15:47,246
I invite you to visit my website
at electjorgebaron.com to learn

347
00:15:47,246 --> 00:15:50,549
more about my campaign and see
my full list of endorsements.

348
00:15:50,549 --> 00:15:52,151
I would be honored
to earn your vote.

349
00:15:53,919 --> 00:16:14,907
♪♪ 

350
00:16:16,275 --> 00:16:26,251
♪♪ 

351
00:16:26,986 --> 00:16:36,929
♪♪ 

352
00:16:39,031 --> 00:16:42,368
-I'm Teresa Mosqueda, and
I'm running for re-election

353
00:16:42,368 --> 00:16:44,770
to the King County Council
to keep fighting for

354
00:16:44,770 --> 00:16:46,205
every family in District 8.

355
00:16:46,205 --> 00:16:48,841
From Vashon Island to the
Chinatown International

356
00:16:48,841 --> 00:16:50,809
District, from Burien
up to Belltown,

357
00:16:50,809 --> 00:16:53,512
I want our district to
have the opportunity to be

358
00:16:53,512 --> 00:16:56,281
healthy, housed, and to be
able to make ends meet.

359
00:16:56,281 --> 00:16:59,218
What I've done on King County
Council so far is delivered.

360
00:16:59,218 --> 00:17:01,720
I chair the Board of Health
and the Health, Housing, and

361
00:17:01,720 --> 00:17:02,988
Human Services Committee.

362
00:17:02,988 --> 00:17:05,858
I've used those roles to make
sure that we're investing

363
00:17:05,858 --> 00:17:07,359
in caring for all residents.

364
00:17:07,359 --> 00:17:09,261
That means making sure
our public health

365
00:17:09,261 --> 00:17:11,764
clinics remain open and
accessible to all residents,

366
00:17:11,764 --> 00:17:13,599
including immigrants
and refugees.

367
00:17:13,599 --> 00:17:16,535
I've secured stable funding
for domestic violence and

368
00:17:16,535 --> 00:17:18,003
sexual assault survivors.

369
00:17:18,003 --> 00:17:21,640
I've championed workforce
housing investments, wage parity

370
00:17:21,640 --> 00:17:25,010
for human service workers, and
helped pass the King County

371
00:17:25,010 --> 00:17:28,514
Parks Levy to make sure we're
investing in climate resilience

372
00:17:28,514 --> 00:17:31,550
strategies. My priorities
going forward are

373
00:17:31,550 --> 00:17:32,284
very clear.

374
00:17:32,284 --> 00:17:35,120
I want to expand access
to affordable housing.

375
00:17:35,120 --> 00:17:37,156
I want to prevent displacement
for working families.

376
00:17:37,156 --> 00:17:38,957
I want to improve
community safety

377
00:17:38,957 --> 00:17:42,261
through behavioral health
investments and reduce gun violence.

378
00:17:43,062 --> 00:17:45,497
I want to invest in what 
workers need every day,

379
00:17:45,497 --> 00:17:49,168
accessible around-the-clock
transit, affordable child-

380
00:17:49,168 --> 00:17:52,938
care, and good union wage jobs.

381
00:17:52,938 --> 00:17:56,041
I am proud to have been able
to represent District 8, and I

382
00:17:56,041 --> 00:17:59,244
ask for your additional support
going into this election.

383
00:17:59,244 --> 00:18:01,947
I am thankful to have the
support of Congresswoman

384
00:18:01,947 --> 00:18:06,018
Jayapal, Governor Ferguson,
Attorney General Nick Brown, MLK

385
00:18:06,018 --> 00:18:11,123
Labor, SEIU, UFCW, the building
trades, and every labor union

386
00:18:11,123 --> 00:18:13,258
that has endorsed
has endorsed my election.

387
00:18:13,258 --> 00:18:15,627
I have support from
environmental groups,

388
00:18:15,627 --> 00:18:17,429
housing, and health champions.

389
00:18:17,429 --> 00:18:19,865
I hope to earn your
support for another term

390
00:18:19,865 --> 00:18:21,233
on King County Council.

391
00:18:21,233 --> 00:18:24,470
I believe King County works best
when we lead with compassion,

392
00:18:24,470 --> 00:18:27,840
accountability, and a commitment
to opportunity for all.

393
00:18:27,840 --> 00:18:30,275
I ask for your support
going into this election

394
00:18:30,275 --> 00:18:32,711
so I can keep serving you
on King County Council

395
00:18:32,711 --> 00:18:36,014
and building a county where
every person can be healthy,

396
00:18:36,014 --> 00:18:37,416
housed, and resilient.

397
00:18:37,416 --> 00:18:37,850
Thank you.

398
00:18:39,685 --> 00:18:41,353
-My name is Nick Duda.

399
00:18:41,353 --> 00:18:44,756
I'm a West Seattle resident,
a husband, the father of two

400
00:18:44,756 --> 00:18:47,626
young kids, and someone
deeply worried about the

401
00:18:47,626 --> 00:18:48,994
direction we're headed.

402
00:18:48,994 --> 00:18:51,263
I got into this race
because King County needs

403
00:18:51,263 --> 00:18:52,498
a new voice in this seat.

404
00:18:53,065 --> 00:18:55,868
My opponent has, in many
ways, created the problems

405
00:18:55,868 --> 00:18:57,402
that we're all dealing with.

406
00:18:57,402 --> 00:19:00,305
Public safety is the number
one issue in the region.

407
00:19:00,305 --> 00:19:03,175
My opponent has voted against
consequences for open-air

408
00:19:03,175 --> 00:19:06,178
drug use, allowing Chinatown
and Little Saigon to suffer

409
00:19:06,178 --> 00:19:09,781
under this weight, and has been
unserious in efforts to curb sex

410
00:19:09,781 --> 00:19:12,151
trafficking on Aurora,
where we're the second

411
00:19:12,151 --> 00:19:13,619
worst region in the country.

412
00:19:13,619 --> 00:19:15,821
We also have serious gun
violence issues that we've

413
00:19:15,821 --> 00:19:18,423
done far too little to address.

414
00:19:18,423 --> 00:19:21,460
Public health is also a
serious challenge, as we have

415
00:19:21,460 --> 00:19:24,096
both one of the highest
rates of overdose deaths

416
00:19:24,096 --> 00:19:26,865
and chronic homelessness,
and this is all while my

417
00:19:26,865 --> 00:19:28,867
opponent has chaired the
Board of Public Health.

418
00:19:29,635 --> 00:19:32,037
Affordability is another
challenge, and yet

419
00:19:32,037 --> 00:19:34,573
she's voted to increase
regressive sales taxes,

420
00:19:34,573 --> 00:19:37,743
utility rates, and sponsored
other taxes that have pushed

421
00:19:37,743 --> 00:19:40,445
businesses out of our region,
contributing to one of

422
00:19:40,445 --> 00:19:42,214
the highest unemployment
rates in the country.

423
00:19:42,748 --> 00:19:44,550
We should be operating
differently.

424
00:19:44,950 --> 00:19:47,085
We should focus on our
core responsibilities

425
00:19:47,085 --> 00:19:49,354
of safe communities and
healthy neighborhoods

426
00:19:49,354 --> 00:19:50,689
for our kids.

427
00:19:50,689 --> 00:19:53,792
We should create an environment
that the industries of

428
00:19:53,792 --> 00:19:55,327
the future can thrive here.

429
00:19:55,327 --> 00:19:58,597
Areas like space, fusion,
and clean energy.

430
00:19:58,597 --> 00:20:01,099
Combining our region's
incredible manufacturing

431
00:20:01,099 --> 00:20:02,067
and software skills.

432
00:20:02,734 --> 00:20:06,138
And most importantly, we should
have accountable government that

433
00:20:06,138 --> 00:20:09,141
takes seriously how we spend
our money and leaders willing

434
00:20:09,141 --> 00:20:10,676
to admit when they were wrong.

435
00:20:11,677 --> 00:20:14,213
I'm a liberal who believes
we should have a strong

436
00:20:14,213 --> 00:20:17,616
social safety net and a
strong local economy.

437
00:20:17,616 --> 00:20:20,452
That doesn't mean government
can solve all our problems,

438
00:20:20,452 --> 00:20:23,422
and it also doesn't mean it's
the source of all our problems.

439
00:20:23,422 --> 00:20:26,091
But our unwillingness to
address many of the hard,

440
00:20:26,091 --> 00:20:28,894
thorny issues is causing
us to govern unseriously,

441
00:20:28,894 --> 00:20:32,564
unsustainably, and will lead
us to a place where our kids

442
00:20:32,564 --> 00:20:34,166
simply cannot thrive here.

443
00:20:34,166 --> 00:20:36,902
If you share my concerns
about the way we're governed,

444
00:20:36,902 --> 00:20:38,704
I'm the choice for you.

445
00:20:39,705 --> 00:20:44,009
♪♪

446
00:20:44,009 --> 00:20:47,012
-You've just seen all the
video statements recorded

447
00:20:47,012 --> 00:20:49,047
by the candidates
that will appear

448
00:20:49,047 --> 00:20:52,050
on King County general
election ballots.

449
00:20:52,050 --> 00:20:54,219
For Seattle candidates
and issues,

450
00:20:54,219 --> 00:20:57,089
watch the Seattle version
of the Video Voters’ Guide.

451
00:20:58,790 --> 00:21:01,760
This program is a collaboration
of the Seattle Ethics

452
00:21:01,760 --> 00:21:04,930
and Elections Commission,
the Seattle Channel,

453
00:21:04,930 --> 00:21:06,398
and King County TV.

454
00:21:08,133 --> 00:21:10,736
This will be a
vote-by-mail election.

455
00:21:10,736 --> 00:21:13,872
Ballots will be sent to
all registered voters.

456
00:21:13,872 --> 00:21:17,109
Look for your ballot in the
mail after October 14th

457
00:21:17,109 --> 00:21:21,780
and vote and return it on or
before Tuesday, November 3rd.

458
00:21:21,780 --> 00:21:25,017
Remember to sign the envelope
with your voted ballot.

459
00:21:25,017 --> 00:21:26,752
Vote centers are
available to voters

460
00:21:26,752 --> 00:21:29,421
who need assistance
completing their ballot.

461
00:21:29,421 --> 00:21:31,757
Trained staff and
specialized equipment

462
00:21:31,757 --> 00:21:34,593
are available to help
voters with disabilities

463
00:21:34,593 --> 00:21:37,529
cast a private,
independent ballot.

464
00:21:37,529 --> 00:21:40,198
You can track the progress
of your ballot online

465
00:21:40,198 --> 00:21:43,602
and find the location of
drop boxes or vote centers

466
00:21:43,602 --> 00:21:45,871
by visiting King
County Elections

467
00:21:45,871 --> 00:21:49,675
at kingcounty.gov/elections.

468
00:21:49,675 --> 00:21:51,777
Ballots must be
postmarked or placed

469
00:21:51,777 --> 00:21:55,747
in a King County elections
drop box by November 3rd.

470
00:21:55,747 --> 00:21:56,982
Thank you for joining us.

471
00:21:58,150 --> 00:22:01,420
We'd like to hear from you
about the Video Voters’ Guide.

472
00:22:01,420 --> 00:22:07,025
To comment on this guide,
please call 206-684-8500,

473
00:22:07,025 --> 00:22:11,730
or email us at
ethicsandelections@seattle.gov.

474
00:22:11,730 --> 00:22:15,434
♪ ♪