"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 King County Councilmember, business attorney, and nonprofit founder. Born in Sudan as an Ethiopian refugee, Girmay immigrated to the United States at the age of three and was raised in South Seattle. He graduated from Franklin High School, went on to earn degrees from Stanford University and the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and built a career that includes working in the Obama White House and practicing business law at the nation's top law firms like Skadden Arps in New York and Perkins Coie in Seattle.
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?
"I believe with the right leadership and a bold vision, King County can be a place of safety and opportunity for all, no matter their background or circumstances. This belief is rooted in my life's story. When my family fled persecution as refugees, King County embraced us, providing us the affordable public housing, quality schools, and good jobs we needed to rebuild our lives. I went from low-income public housing to serving as an elected official for the same district in South Seattle where I once experienced homelessness.
Today, the very opportunities that helped me succeed are out of reach for too many people. Our region has a severe shortage of affordable housing, and critical gaps in healthcare, mental health access and public safety. Families are stretched to their economic limits. Students fear gun violence in schools. Immigrants and refugees understand a second Trump administration will threaten the very values that once welcomed them.
I’m running for King County Executive to support working families and ensure every resident is safe, has an affordable home, and the opportunity to succeed.
I am asking you to join me in building a new era in King County. 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
