Girmay believes King County can be a place of safety and opportunity for all—a place where everyone has a chance to thrive, no matter their background or circumstances.

This belief is rooted in his life's story. When Girmay’s family fled persecution as refugees, King County welcomed them with open arms and gave them a foundation to rebuild their lives.  This community provided him with affordable public housing, quality public schools, and pathways to climb the economic ladder, ultimately enabling him to build his own family here with his lovely wife and baby daughter. Girmay believes that everyone deserves these chances to succeed.

Today, Girmay sees the principles and policies that make King County a land of opportunity at risk. Too many families are struggling to survive in an economy that increasingly favors the wealthy and powerful. Too many people are forced to live on the streets in a region that has failed to build enough homes or provide adequate healthcare. Students are going to school in fear of gun violence, and immigrants and refugees worry that a second Trump presidency may threaten the very values that once embraced them.

Girmay is running for King County Executive because he believes we can extend safety and opportunity to every resident.

To achieve his vision of opportunity for all, Girmay knows we must transform King County into the nation’s strongest economy. He will work to attract major employers while nurturing a supportive landscape for small businesses. He will champion safe neighborhoods so that small businesses can thrive and cut red tape so they can prosper. He will support strong labor standards and good pay, and do everything possible to promote a healthy workforce. Girmay aims to make King County a top destination for talent, business, and investment.

He believes King County must dramatically increase investments in affordable housing while making it significantly easier for the private sector to build. He is committed to expanding the behavioral health sector to help all our neighbors suffering from addiction and mental illness.

To meet the urgent need for public safety, Girmay supports smart, comprehensive strategies including expanding our region’s first responder systems so they can handle every category of emergency, fixing the county’s struggling criminal justice system, addressing the root causes of crime like poverty and addiction, investing in youth enrichment and intervention programs, and working to eliminate gun violence in every neighborhood.

He is also dedicated to preserving King County’s natural beauty and environmental health, championing clean air, clean water, and accessible green spaces for all. To connect communities and drive opportunity, he advocates for frequent, reliable public transit that serves every corner of the county.

Girmay understands that to achieve these goals, he must demand accountability. His administration must be results-oriented, efficient, and effective. He will require strong performance metrics for every program and ensure they are producing their desired outcomes and avoiding waste. His leadership will be rooted in relentless empiricism—constantly assessing what works, what doesn’t, and making adjustments to ensure the best possible results for King County.

Girmay envisions a King County where anyone—no matter their background—has access to an affordable home, safe neighborhoods, a thriving job market, clean parks, effective healthcare, and world-class public transit. He believes in the promise of King County because he has lived it. Now, he is ready to work alongside partners around the region to extend that same promise to every resident, everywhere.

‍In the coming months, Girmay will roll out comprehensive policy proposals addressing every issue King County residents care about most. In the meantime, he will be traveling to every corner of the region, listening and learning from the diverse residents that call this place home. Stay tuned, follow along, and Get Involved by clicking one of the options below!