Executive Girmay Zahilay

Our top priority is “breaking the cycle” of the distinct but overlapping issues of homelessness, behavioral health challenges, and criminal justice system involvement. Last week, we kicked off the Breaking the Cycle Workgroup to bring together partners across these systems to work together.

Last week, we hosted the first stop of our Be In Community Listening Tour. Thank you Skyway for welcoming us into your community and sharing your priorities. This was only the first stop. We hope to see you at future Be In Community Listening Tour events across King County.

Big announcement: we are expanding access to youth jobs across King County government! Today we are launching YouthWorks, a new web app that connects people ages 16 to 24 with paid internships and volunteer opportunities. Learn more and apply at kcyouthworks.org

If your home, property, or business was impacted by flooding, help may be available, but the deadline to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance is June 10. Visit disasterassistance.gov to apply or find a center, and check kingcounty.gov/floodrecovery for updates, locations, and in-person help.

We are building a behavioral health system where no one has to face a crisis alone. King County’s first Crisis Care Center is open in Kirkland, providing free, walk-in support for mental health and substance use crises. Walk in anytime or call 988. More info: kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dchs...

Next month and all summer long, King County Metro, Sound Transit, and regional transportation partners are working together to keep people moving during FIFA World Cup 2026™ and one of the busiest summers in our region’s history. Leave the driving to us!

Starting May 21, you can hop on King County Metro’s Waterfront Shuttle with free rides all summer, sponsored by Seattle’s FIFA World Cup 2026™ Local Organizing Committee. Skip the hassle. Catch the shuttle. Visit KingCounty.gov/Metro/SEA26

Sound Transit is at a critical moment, with some major decisions ahead. We need to complete the spine and connect Tacoma to Everett, advance all-voter approved stations and begin construction of shovel-ready projects, and pursue every financing tool available to build the damn trains.

One of my priorities is to stand up a team dedicated to being out in the community every day across all 39 cities & unincorporated areas. From supporting local leaders to connecting people with services, our new Community Service and Response team works side by side with residents to solve problems.

Thank you Metro for bringing us all a new way to pay! Now, with Tap to Pay, riders across the region can access transit even easier. Riders ages 18 and up can tap their credit or debit card, smartphone or smartwatch to pay fare on all King County Metro modes of transit. kingcounty.gov/metro/tap2pay

Congratulations to the City of Redmond on 328 new units of affordable housing coming 🔜! King County invested nearly $9M into this project. Thank you to DCHS, Redmond, Bellwether Housing, Sound Transit, and all community and private sector partners who made Prisma possible.

King County residents have delivered our Transition Committee report with policy recommendations focused on the 4 Bs: Breaking the Cycle Building for Affordability Boots on the Ground Better Government Thank you to the 100 community members who shaped it! Report: kingcounty.gov/-/media/king...

Black history is American history. It was an honor to lead the Black History Month flag raising celebration. Thank you to all of those who joined us in recognizing and celebrating the contributions of African American people to the United States and King County!

Are you ready to see a million people pack the streets of downtown Seattle? I’m excited to see you all at tomorrow’s Seahawks Super Bowl Parade at 11am on 4th ave. Please take public transit and be safe! Thank you to all of the county and city workers keeping us safe and moving. #GoHawks

Today, I joined the Senate Ways and Means Committee to testify in strong support of the Millionaires Tax on behalf of our state’s largest county. Thank you to all those who are fighting for this bill and I urge the Legislature to pass it and move our state in a more fair direction!

It’s time for another Executive Update! January has been the first full month of my new administration and our teams have been hard at work opening new housing, expanding transit, organizing federal response, recovering from floods, and building a team that can begin advancing policy priorities.

Starting Monday, February 2, the next generation of zero emission buses hits the streets of King County. These new buses also have upgraded operator safety partitions. Cleaner transportation and safer working conditions. Thank you to everyone who made this possible!

Proud to be in Federal Way today for the opening of Booker House, a new Health Through Housing community providing 86 units of permanent supportive housing for ppl facing chronic homelessness. This is Health Through Housing’s 15th building providing 369 supportive housing units in South King alone.

Today is the day. Let’s go @seahawks! #BeatLA

Mark your calendars for March 28! For the first time in history, riders will be able to hop on Sound Transit light rail and cross Lake Washington east to west on the world’s first light rail crossing over a floating bridge. Thank you to everyone who made this possible!

I’m wishing everyone a meaningful MLK Day. In King County, the only jurisdiction in the nation named in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we carry a special obligation to turn his vision for justice into action, through service, public policy, and a commitment to dignity and humanity for all.

Thank you to @SeattleIndivisible for organizing today’s ICE Out vigil, and thank you to everyone who showed up to grieve for Renee Nicole Good and for all those living in fear because of ICE’s actions. As King County Executive, here are my commitments.

Today, I joined Governor Ferguson and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide an update on the ongoing flood response in King County.

Today, I announced that King County is making an initial $1.5 million investment for shelter assistance and debris removal to support residents displaced by flooding. This funding will add to the $3.5 million in emergency resources announced today by Governor Ferguson.

A couple weeks ago, I took the oath as Executive. Since then, we have declared an emergency to protect lives, reorganized government to deliver better results, stood up to the Trump administration, and brought new leadership into the County. This is just the beginning, and I will keep you updated.

This afternoon I held a press conference on a serious and fast moving situation in South King County. Around 11:30 am, the Desimone Levee on the Green River was breached, causing flooding near Olympic Ave South in Tukwila behind Rainier Industries.

King County is facing historic flooding that has put lives at risk. I want to thank the county employees and first responders working long hours in extremely dangerous conditions. We are not out of the woods. For the most up to date information, visit kcemergency.com.

Yesterday, I issued an emergency proclamation as our region is experiencing historic storms and flooding. This proclamation allows King County to move resources quickly, support our cities, and keep people safe.

Thank you to the 18,000 people who make up our King County workforce, especially those who have dedicated decades of their lives to public service. Yesterday I had the privilege of recognizing our long serving employees with service awards.

Yesterday: A major milestone for South King County! Light rail officially opened 3 new stations in Kent, Des Moines, and Federal Way. Students, workers, and families now have fast and reliable connections to education, jobs, health care, the airport, and more.

Thank you to everyone who has been continuing to participate in our #RegionalDayofService by supporting their local food bank. It’s not too late to donate to help feed your neighbors. Find your closest food bank using our new map tool: kingcounty.gov/food-resource-map

Happy Thanksgiving! Let’s all do our parts to keep our communities fed this holiday season. Yesterday, we volunteered at 4 food banks in every corner of King County Find your closest food bank using our new map tool and make a financial contribution today: kingcounty.gov/food-resource-map

We’re hitting 4 food banks in every corner of the region today as part of our Regional Day of Service. Here are 2 of our volunteers who had such a sweet reason for giving back. It’s not too late to donate to help feed our neighbors. Find your closest food bank: kingcounty.gov/food-resource-map

In their first meeting, Mayor-elect @wilsonforseattle.bsky.social and Executive-elect Zahilay discussed the urgent challenges facing the region and the importance of coordinated action. Their conversation covered homelessness, childcare, federal funding cuts, and set the foundation for collaboration

Over the past couple weeks we have moved from election night to building the foundation of a new administration. Join us and share your ideas at girmaytransition2025.com

Today marks the start of my transition as King County Executive-elect. This is the beginning of building the new administration that will lead King County. Learn more about our transition, see the full committee, and how to apply to join our administration at GirmayTransition2025.com

To my core campaign team, volunteers, finance committee, donors, door knockers, house hosts, and voters: Thank you. I woke up feeling deeply grateful for all the work you put into this campaign. I appreciate all of you.

Today, we officially won the race for King County Executive. This is the place that raised me, supported my family, and made my story possible. To now serve as Executive for this region, and to be the first immigrant and first millennial ever elected to the role, is the honor of my lifetime.

Thank you to the 450 people who RSVPd to our election night watch party. I felt so much love in that room. The results were too close to declare victory, but we are feeling really good. I will have more to say after today’s additional results, but for now, I just want to say thank you so much!

We launched our campaign last December and tonight at 8 PM, polls close and this chapter comes to an end. No matter what happens, I want to take a moment to share my deepest gratitude. Thank you to everyone who showed up to make our community a better place for all. Turn those ballots in before 8!

Seattle and King County can’t solve our biggest challenges alone. Real progress requires partnership. That’s why Erika Evans and I will team up to build safer neighborhoods, support people in crisis, and stand up for workers. But before we can get to work, we need you. Return before Tuesday!

Jazzy has a special message for all of you: “Vote by Tuesday!” Only 3 days left, my friends. ✅ Check your mailbox today, vote Girmay Zahilay for King County Executive ✅ Share this video! ✅ Text 5 friends to remind them ✅ Join our virtual text banking this Sunday: bit.ly/text4girmay

“In King County, the only king we recognize is…” Thank you @seattleindivisible and the No Kings Coalition for bringing us together in one of the largest protests in our state’s history! Let’s take action: seattleindivisible.com/post-rally-a...

When I tell people I’m running for King County Executive, most ask, “What’s that?!” So I hit Bellevue Park to find out how many know. Not many! This role runs housing, transit, public health, criminal justice & more for 2.3M people. Ballots drop Thurs. Join us Sun 1 PM to rally: bit.ly/girmayrally