Email
info@claudiabalducci.com
YouTube Video
www.youtube.com/@ClaudiaBalducciforKingCounty
Town where you live
Bellevue
Experience (300 characters max)
Claudia Balducci is a housing and transportation champion, lifelong public servant, and a mom. For more than two decades, she has driven transformative change in the region—expanding opportunity, standing up for the most vulnerable, and delivering on the issues that matter most.
I’m the only candidate who has led both on the executive and legislative sides of King County government. As a former Mayor of Bellevue, Council Chair, and public safety Director, I’ve managed a large department, led through crises, and delivered major regional solutions to our toughest challenges. I’ve balanced billion-dollar budgets, built housing and transit, and reformed public safety systems while keeping communities safe. I bring 20+ years of experience, bipartisan partnerships, and a proven ability to turn ideas into real-world results—exactly what this moment demands. This job isn’t a stepping stone—it’s about leading a $16 billion government and delivering for King County residents from day one.
First, housing: I’ve led regional efforts to fund and build thousands of affordable homes, and as Executive I’ll scale up proven solutions to meet our bold housing goals. Second, safety: I’ll pursue a balanced public safety strategy that fills critical vacancies, expands mental health crisis response, and strengthens prevention programs to reduce gun violence and support victims. Third, transit and mobility: I’ve helped deliver light rail across the region and will continue investing in a connected, reliable transportation system—including transit-oriented housing and regional trails like Eastrail. At every step, I’ll lead with transparency, accountability, and urgency to deliver visible results.
I got my start advocating for inclusive growth in my neighborhood. I served three terms on Bellevue City Council (including as Mayor), and later as a King County Councilmember (three terms as Council Chair), a longtime member of the Sound Transit Board and past President of the Regional Council. I’ve expanded regional transit, including opening Eastlink Light Rail; provided the Eastside’s first permanent emergency shelters and supportive housing; improved road safety and encouraged active transportation including regional trail expansions; created thousands of affordable homes; advanced crisis care centers and expansion of Harborview; implemented reforms in public safety; and made major equity-based investments in education and the arts.
I have a long track record of regional leadership, bringing together different groups and perspectives - cities, tribes, and leaders/community voices from every corner of King County - to craft and implement solutions to our pressing problems together, as I have done on affordable housing, homelessness, transportation solutions and more. This ethic of partnership has earned me broad endorsements by local mayors and leaders who work at the ground level, and is the same ethic I would bring as King County Executive: being personally present, listening and sharing openly, and working directly with community representatives as partners, to ensure that our efforts and solutions truly meet the needs as identified by the people of King County.
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Phone
256-335-5862
Email
kingcountycounts@amiyaforkingcounty.org
YouTube Video
www.youtube.com/channel/UC9qnKlV7g-lQpdHOjxJP4qg
Town where you live
Bellevue Washington
Experience (300 characters max)
Growing up primarily in a single parent household I have always worked to create a new life for myself and family. This hunger started early for me, initially participating in outloud recitation of poetry which was the first time I creatively connected with my community. Alongside this in my early d
I have prepared for this experience through both personal conviction and active service. I've come to understand that it's no longer enough to turn away from the chaos I want to face it head-on, like a firefighter running toward the flames, bringing hope and relief. My preparation has been grounded in service: I’ve volunteered and worked in my community to provide resources to the homeless because I believe everyone deserves a home and a sense of dignity.
Growing up in a single-parent household, I experienced firsthand the weight of systemic barriers related to gender, race, and class. These experiences shaped me and instilled in me a deep sense of empathy and drive. Even when we struggled financially, I remained committed to giving back in any way I could through service, resource-sharing, and community involvement. I’ve extended that same commitment through both my personal life and the brand I’ve built, striving always to contribute generously and consistently.
My campaign is built on three core priorities: advancing education and workforce innovation, empowering small businesses, and improving housing and community safety. I envision a future where students are guided into high-growth career paths through the strategic use of AI-driven tools and research partnerships with local universities. My goal is to create a more equitable and future-ready workforce by integrating real-world career exploration into our education systems. As both a former Microsoft leader in AI strategy and a small business owner, I’m passionate about supporting entrepreneurs by scaling successful local incubator programs like Seattle Restored and the Good Business Network. I also believe in leveraging AI to help small businesses reduce operational costs and increase efficiency in areas such as healthcare, HR, and customer service. Additionally, I’m deeply committed to addressing King County’s housing crisis and public safety concerns. I support policies that protect ho
When I was a kid I sung in the community choir at church and we would visit nursing homes every month and minister to the spirit of people. I believe that service start in the heart, and intangible frequency that cannot be captured, this propelled me into speaking on panels about mental health, raising 18,000 dollars for minority engineers, giving 12,000 dollars back to the homeless community and surrounding communities of King County. I have held women's networking events promoting body positivity, and creating a mentorship program for Early In Career individuals in the corporate sectors, specifically Microsoft.
Balancing the needs of different communities within the county starts with inclusive leadership and equitable resource allocation. I will assign more leadership roles across the greater region to ensure that every community urban, suburban, and rural has a direct voice in shaping the policies that impact them most. Representation at the leadership level is critical to understanding the unique challenges each area faces. Additionally, I believe the solution to many of our fiscal challenges lies not in budget cuts, but in growing our economic base. I will prioritize smart, community-focused economic development to drive more revenue into the county supporting small businesses, expanding workforce programs, and investing in innovation.
Phone
2063028213
Email
Electdonlrivers@gmail.com
Town where you live
Seattle
Experience (300 characters max)
I worked for King County now for 39 years. Ambassador Of Peace for ACLC . Speaking engagements all over the world on cultural differences and life sustainable changes. My non profits Are Inside Out trains And Consultant. Rivers & Associates. I gave over 45 years to Washington State .
I’ve run for many political offices. I’ve stood before voters, committees, and communities — not once, but again and again. I’ve served as an advisor to elected officials, helping shape decisions that affect real lives. And through it all, one truth has guided me: I never gave up.
Politics is not for the faint of heart. It tests your patience, your values, and your willpower. I’ve experienced both wins and setbacks, but I never let either define me. I kept going — because the mission was always bigger than the moment. I knew my voice mattered, and so did the people I wanted to serve. Resilience, for me, meant showing up after losses, learning from criticism, and staying grounded in purpose even when the path forward wasn’t clear. I didn’t just endure the process . I grew through it.
I’m still here. Still fighting. Still committed. Because real change doesn’t come from one victor. it comes from relentless dedication.
(1)Affordable Housing & Homelessness crisis. King County houses the third-largest homeless population in the U.S., with over 14,000 unsheltered individuals and more than 50,000 experiencing homelessness annual. The county’s 2025 budget includes $56M for transit-adjacent affordable housing and supports nearly 240 new units through the Health through housing.
(2)Public Health & Health Equity. A looming $35M general fund deficit threatens to shutter most public health clinics serving 80,000+ people—primarily vulnerable populations including BIPOC, uninsured, and homeless individuals.Recent public health objectives emphasize climate resilience, gun‑violence intervention, addiction recovery, and homelessness response .
(3) Sustainable Transit & Climate Resilience
King County residents report high levels of climate concern (76%), pushing for aggressive sustainability policies like cap‑and‑trade. Accelerate climate‑forward transit investments, support Metro’s zero-emission fleet rollout,
Going to the White House working on a Criminal Justice Reform at the time with Congressman Richard . Going to talk to the people at CHOP during a tremendous challenging time for the City of Seattle. The Change Started With Me
I’ve never held an elected office — but I’ve been in the heart of public service my entire life.
I’ve stood with grieving families whose children were taken by gun violence. I’ve helped guide individuals who felt called to lead — mentoring them as they stepped forward to run for office. I’ve worked alongside communities to push for legislation and accountability laws that demand better from our systems, especially when it comes to policing and justice.
I’ve sat in forums with parents who are tired.
Approaching different communities effectively means respecting their unique experiences while finding common ground. My campaign manager shared this with me a grandmother of 8 and great grandma of 3 she would say “Mr. Rivers always take with you the 3 L’s Listen,Learn then Lead.” I developed a whole concept of problem solving strategical plan for King County through the 3L’s Program. Start with listening, not assumptions every community has its own history, priorities and pain points. Be present to learn. not to lead immediately. Build through relationships not just outreach. Partner with respected local voices: pastors, teachers, barbershop owners, youth leaders, elders. Trust is built by showing up over time, not just during a campaign
Phone
206-323-1755
Email
SWPCAMPAIGNWA@GMAIL.COM
Town where you live
SEATTLE
Experience (300 characters max)
Over two decades experience in union and other struggles which strengthen the working class.
I’ve worked for two decades in union and other struggles, such as those for women’s rights, immigrant rights and against wars carried out by the Democratic and Republican parties. Each of these struggles strengthens the working class.
Currently I work as a freight rail switchman, a member SMART Transportation Division union and participate in the struggles of the working class, to strengthen our ability to fight independently in our own interests, which is the opposite of so many capitalist politicians that give lip service to “helping workers” while defending the interests and rule of a tiny class of billionaires.
I’m a longtime member of the Socialist Workers Party – a party that recognizes the irreconcilable conflict between workers and the capitalist class, and on every political question puts forward what is in the interests of working people and the oppressed.
I am joining picket lines of workers on strike at Republic Services and those fighting a lockout at Mauser.
The top priority for the working class is building political leadership and a party of our own that fights independently of the capitalist class and their parties to lead millions to take political power. That is the only thing that can stop the current drive of capitalist powers toward a third world war and threat of nuclear destruction. The SWP is building such a party.
Questions such as rising cost of living, social disasters which are presented simply as natural disasters, wars, crime, etc. will ultimately be decided by which class rules. All social issues are fundamentally class questions.
The interests of the working class are those of the majority, at odds with the tiny class of billionaire rulers and their parties, the Republicans and Democrats, aided by left parties trained in Stalinist politics of class-collaboration and thuggery.
I support whatever builds solidarity and capacities of the working class to defend ourselves, and oppose any dependence on this dog-eat-dog system
I join actions against Jew-hatred, defend Israel’s right to exist as a refuge for Jews, and it's efforts to prevent another Holocaust! I call for US troops, weapons, and bases out of the Middle East! The US bombing of Iran is aimed at asserting US military dominance. The capitalist class in the US has never taken the safety of the Jews, nor national rights of the Palestinians, into consideration.
I defend Ukraine’s sovereignty and demand US troops and nuclear weapons out of Europe!
I've joined labor struggles for higher wages and work schedules that allow family-time and recreation! Working people need cradle to grave health care, child care, and pensions, with cost of living for inflation, which will take a mass struggle to win.
Solidarity can be developed as examples of working-class struggles point the road forward. Workers and our allies have won gains through our collective struggles on the job and in the streets, like the Civil Rights movement. This is the opposite of the look-out-for-number-one that is the norm in capitalist society.
The government’s recent attack on programs like Medicaid, which millions of workers depend on, shows the “class against class” framework under capitalism. I oppose these assaults.
Workers need to fight for Amnesty for immigrants to unify the class. Unions around the country are saying “immigrant rights are union rights!" Free Alfredo Lelo Juárez, Kilmar Abrego García, and other workers!
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Email
campaign@electgirmay.com
YouTube Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkIFY-pEdY4
Town where you live
Tukwila
Experience (300 characters max)
Girmay Zahilay, Chair of the King County Council, is a proven progressive leader. As Executive, he will continue to confront the county’s biggest challenges head-on: ending homelessness, improving public safety, defending reproductive rights, expanding addiction care, and addressing climate change.
My lived, professional, public service experience uniquely prepares me to serve as King County Executive. My family fled political violence in Sudan and was welcomed here as refugees. I grew up relying on services like SNAP, Medicaid, and Seattle Public Schools. Those programs helped me attend Stanford, earn a law degree from Penn, work in the Obama White House, and practiced law. I also founded Rising Leaders, a nonprofit mentoring youth.
As a Councilmember, I’ve used that lived experience to deliver for working families. I’ve passed bold policies by building coalitions and asking, “What will it take to get to yes?” I’ve championed raising the minimum wage, expanding affordable housing, and building five crisis centers for behavioral health.
I bring both firsthand understanding of the barriers our communities face and the governing experience to deliver innovative, equitable solutions for King County’s toughest challenges.
My top priorities are affordable housing, a strong economy for working families, and public safety. As someone who experienced homelessness as a child, I’m committed to bringing people indoors, keeping them housed, and increasing affordable housing. I’ll expand supply by streamlining permitting, supporting zoning reform, and boosting access to capital.
To grow our economy, I’ll fight for universal childcare, expand workforce training and apprenticeships, and strengthen wage and labor protections so families can thrive.
For public safety, I’ll expand first responder capacity, invest in youth intervention, and address root causes like poverty and behavioral health. As the only candidate endorsed by the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, I’ll act boldly to tackle gun violence.
I’ll approach all of this with a focus on equity, uplifting historically underinvested communities and ensuring opportunity for all.
I was unanimously selected Chair of the King County Council, reflecting my ability to lead on tough issues. I led passage of the Crisis Care Centers levy, advanced gun violence prevention, raised the minimum wage in unincorporated areas, and secured major investments—including $10M for a Skyway community center and a $1B workforce housing initiative. I prime-sponsored the Free Youth Fare Ordinance, making transit free for young people, and protected vital services during a tough budget year through a community-driven process. My record shows deep commitment to equity and results. That’s why I’m sole endorsed by Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, Washington Education Association, and the most unions and Democratic orgs of any candidate.
I believe those closest to the pain should be closest to the policy. That principle has guided my leadership as I represent King County’s most diverse district. I’ve partnered with communities to shape policy and deliver results like launching the Skyway Tiny House Village and Youth Achievement Center, and advancing community-led safety strategies. As reproductive health providers face attacks, I convened leaders from Planned Parenthood, Pro-Choice WA, and Cedar River Clinics, then passed legislation reaffirming County support and exploring funding. I bring direct experience with our communities and as Executive, I’ll lead with partnership at the center.
