King County will elect its first new executive since 2009
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John Wilson (left), Girmay Zahilay (center) and Claudia Balducci (right) are running for King County executive. Photos: Courtesy of the campaigns
King County is set to get a new elected executive for the first time in more than 15 years.
Why it matters: More than a quarter of Washington state residents — about 2.3 million people — live in King County, which is the 12th most populous county in the nation, per recent census data.
- The King County executive oversees an annual budget of more than $10 billion that pays for transit service, courts, sheriff's deputies, affordable housing, public health programs, elections and more.
Zoom in: The job will be open this fall because current King County Executive Dow Constantine, who has held the position since 2009, announced he won't seek reelection.
State of play: Three candidates have announced they're running to replace Constantine:
- King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci, a former Bellevue mayor elected to the county council in 2015;
- King County Assessor John Wilson, who was previously chief of staff to former King County Executive Ron Sims;
- And King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay, a lawyer who was elected to the county council in 2019.
While the executive role is nonpartisan, all three candidates identify as Democrats.
Follow the money: As part of their strategy to close a projected $150 million budget gap, all three candidates told Axios the county would need to look closely at whether government dollars are being spent effectively.
- Balducci and Zahilay said they also would lobby the Legislature to give counties more options to raise progressive tax revenue, an approach that Wilson questioned.
What they're saying: Zahilay, who was born in Sudan to parents who were Ethiopian refugees, highlighted his recent initiative to build more affordable housing and said he'll keep working to end gun violence in King County, where he moved with his family when he was 3.
- Balducci, a former director of the King County jail system, pointed to her work to extend light rail to the Eastside and build a permanent men's shelter in Bellevue as evidence that she can build coalitions and "get really big things done."
- Wilson, a former journalist, touted his work as county assessor to help expand property tax exemptions for senior citizens and said he'd lobby the state Legislature to provide more tax relief for homeowners.
- All three candidates said the county needs to improve its homelessness response and show that county programs are getting results.
Between the lines: The Seattle Times reported last week that Wilson had a temporary protection order issued against him last year after his domestic partner accused him of harassment and stalking.
- The protection order was later dismissed and the couple are now engaged to be married, Wilson's fiancée told the Times.
- Wilson's campaign told Axios it had no additional comment beyond the fiancée's statement to the Times.
What's next: Candidates must formally file paperwork in May to appear on the ballot.
- The Aug. 5 primary will decide which two candidates will move on to the November general election.