"Let's bring a new era to king county.
Let's build a future where everyone is safe, housed, & healthy in a region that's affordable, clean, & connected!"
Who is Girmay?
Girmay Zahilay is a business attorney, nonprofit founder, and King County Councilmember who represents the district where he was raised and where he continues to live with his amazing wife, Joyce, and their young daughter. He is running for King County Executive because he cares deeply about our community and believes the office of County Executive is the most effective platform for solving our region's biggest problems and making life better for every resident.
Girmay’s upbringing in public housing and public schools fueled his commitment to public service. This drive led him to fight poverty at the Congressional Hunger Center and to found Rising Leaders, Inc., a national nonprofit that empowers underserved middle school students with mentorship and life skills training.
In 2019, Girmay ran for the King County Council to bring bold solutions to the region’s most pressing issues. Since then, he has championed initiatives to fund thousands of new affordable homes, create treatment centers for mental health and addiction crises, expand gun violence prevention efforts, improve public transit, reform the criminal justice system, and make government more accessible to all.
Girmay lives in South King County with his wife and their newborn daughter, continuing his lifelong commitment to building a brighter future for all.
Girmay’s upbringing in public housing and public schools fueled his commitment to public service. This drive led him to fight poverty at the Congressional Hunger Center and to found Rising Leaders, Inc., a national nonprofit that empowers underserved middle school students with mentorship and life skills training.
In 2019, Girmay ran for the King County Council to bring bold solutions to the region’s most pressing issues. Since then, he has championed initiatives to fund thousands of new affordable homes, create treatment centers for mental health and addiction crises, expand gun violence prevention efforts, improve public transit, reform the criminal justice system, and make government more accessible to all.
Girmay lives in South King County with his wife and their newborn daughter, continuing his lifelong commitment to building a brighter future for all.
What is the King County Executive?
Girmay Zahilay is running for King County Executive, the highest local office in Washington State. Just like a mayor oversees a city or a governor leads a state, the County Executive governs the region of King County.
As the County Executive, Girmay would lead a government of over 17,000 employees, manage a nearly $20 billion biennial budget, and deliver services to a diverse region of 2.3 million people.
King County is a vast and varied area, covering 39 cities—from Federal Way in the south to Shoreline in the north, and from Vashon Island in the west to Snoqualmie in the east—as well as numerous unincorporated communities. The County government plays a crucial role in providing essential services like public transit, public health, criminal justice, affordable housing, and wastewater treatment across this entire region.
Girmay is ready to bring his leadership to this role, ensuring these vital services meet the needs of every community in King County.
As the County Executive, Girmay would lead a government of over 17,000 employees, manage a nearly $20 billion biennial budget, and deliver services to a diverse region of 2.3 million people.
King County is a vast and varied area, covering 39 cities—from Federal Way in the south to Shoreline in the north, and from Vashon Island in the west to Snoqualmie in the east—as well as numerous unincorporated communities. The County government plays a crucial role in providing essential services like public transit, public health, criminal justice, affordable housing, and wastewater treatment across this entire region.
Girmay is ready to bring his leadership to this role, ensuring these vital services meet the needs of every community in King County.
Why is Girmay running for King County Executive?
Girmay Zahilay believes that with the right leadership and a bold vision, King County can be a place of safety and opportunity for all, regardless of background or circumstances.
This belief is deeply rooted in his life story. When Girmay’s family fled persecution as refugees, King County embraced them, providing affordable public housing, quality schools, and good jobs that allowed his family to rebuild their lives. From growing up in low-income public housing to experiencing homelessness, Girmay rose to serve as an elected official representing the same South Seattle district that shaped his journey.
Today, the opportunities that helped Girmay succeed are out of reach for too many residents. King County faces a severe shortage of affordable housing, a crushing cost of living and doing business, critical gaps in healthcare and mental health access, and pressing public safety concerns. Families and small businesses are stretched to their economic limits, students fear gun violence in schools, and immigrants and refugees face uncertainty as national policies threaten the values that once welcomed them.
Girmay is running for King County Executive to support working families and small businesses and to ensure that every resident has access to safety, affordable housing, and the opportunity to thrive. He cares deeply about the community that raised him and believes the office of County Executive is the most effective platform for tackling the region's most significant challenges and improving the lives of every resident.
Vote Girmay Zahilay for King County Executive on August 5, 2025.
Girmay In The News
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Help Shape A New Era In King County
