Dear Friends,

I’m excited to invite you to our biggest and most important campaign event of the year—my 3rd Annual Hometown Heroes Luncheon!

📅 Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025

🕚 Time: 11:30 AM Doors, 12:00 PM Program

📍 Location: Paramount Theatre

🎟 RSVP Here: electgirmay.com/heroes

This event is all about honoring the quiet heroes among us—the neighbors, workers, and community leaders who make King County stronger every day. It’s also a chance to come together over lunch, celebrate our shared values, and support my campaign for King County Executive.

We’ll hear from special guest Seattle Sonics Legend Gary Payton, Governor Bob Ferguson, enjoy music and DJ skills from DJ Blast, and be surrounded by the incredible people who are shaping the future of our region.

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I'd love it if you served as an Event Captain to help recruit your friends and networks! Reply to this email if you are willing to help recruit a few guests to sit with you.

We also need volunteers! If you’d like to get involved and help staff the event, click here!

This will be a powerful moment for our campaign. Let’s pack the room and show up for our community heroes! RSVP today:

🔗 electgirmay.com/heroes

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 10, 2025

Contact: Michael Fertakis, fertakis@ulstrategies.com

Girmay Zahilay Fastest to Raise $500,000 in King County History

SEATTLE, WA – Girmay Zahilay’s campaign for King County Executive has officially raised $506,000—the fastest any candidate has ever surpassed half a million dollars in the history of open King County races. This also puts Zahilay more than $150,000 ahead of the next closest candidate in the current race for County Executive. He also leads in the total number of contributors to the campaign at 781. This decisive fundraising lead underscores the broad coalition Zahilay has built, the energy behind his vision for the future, and the trust in his proven track record.

“This campaign is powered by people who want to see a new era of leadership in King County,” said Zahilay. “Voters want to see plans and results. They want action on homelessness, public safety, and affordability—and that’s exactly what I’m bringing to this race.”

Building Unmatched Momentum

Zahilay’s record-breaking fundraising success is paired with a growing wave of endorsements from key leaders across King County.

With 140 total endorsements from elected officials, unions, tribes, and community leaders, Zahilay leads all candidates in endorsements. He entered the race with powerful backing from Governor Bob Ferguson, Attorney General Nick Brown, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, and the most labor unions of all candidates.

This month, he built on that momentum with the following new endorsements:

• New elected officials backing Zahilay: Congressman Adam Smith; Mayors, Councilmembers, and School Board Directors from Federal Way, Sammamish, Renton, Kent, Auburn, Seatac, Tacoma, Shoreline, and Seattle.
• New organizational endorsements: Teamsters 117, SEIU 775, SEIU 6, UAW Local 4121, and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians.

Hometown Heroes Luncheon – April 2

As momentum continues to grow, Zahilay will host his largest campaign event of the year, the Hometown Heroes Luncheon at the Paramount Theater on April 2nd. The event will feature special guest Governor Bob Ferguson, and bring together community leaders, and grassroots supporters to further fuel the campaign’s success. In past years, the event has seen nearly 900 supporters in attendance and Zahilay’s campaign hopes to break 1,000 this year.

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Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Time: 11:30 AM Doors, 12:00 PM Program

Location: Paramount Theatre

RSVP Here: electgirmay.com/heroes

Delivering Real Solutions – Policy Rollouts

Alongside record fundraising and key endorsements, Zahilay is also the first candidate to release detailed policy plans to address the biggest issues facing King County:

• Public Safety: A plan to reduce crime, invest in mental health crisis response, and address gun violence. Read More
• Homelessness: A housing-first strategy to move people off the streets and into stable housing. Read More
• Childcare: A plan to expand affordable childcare and support working families. Read More

A Clear Frontrunner

With over $150,000 more than the next closest candidate, the broadest coalition of endorsements, and a clear, results-driven vision for King County, Zahilay has firmly established himself as the frontrunner in this race.

“Voters are ready for leadership that makes their lives better,” said Zahilay. “With this momentum, we hope we can win this race and build a King County that works for everyone.”

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As reported last month, Girmay came out of the gate with major endorsements from Governor Ferguson, Attorney General Brown, Congresswoman Jayapal, and five major unions. Since then he has added to that total with big names like Congressman Adam Smith, Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen and State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti, bringing his total number of elected official endorsements to over 60—the most announced endorsements of any candidate in the race.

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As state legislators return to Olympia next week to begin the legislative session, we also want to thank the legislators who have already endorsed our campaign:

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• Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen
• Senator Tina Orwall
• Senator Claudia Kauffman
• Senator Joe Nguyen
• Senator Bob Hasegawa
• Senator Rebecca Saldana
• Senator Javier Valdez
• Senator T'wina Nobles
• Senator Yasmin Trudeau
• Rep. Sharlett Mena
• Rep. April Berg
• Rep. Julia Reed
• Rep. Chipalo Street
• Rep. David Hackney
• Rep. Shaun Scott
• Rep. Edwin Obras

“Raised More Than All Other Candidates Combined”

Girmay has widened his financial lead to over $100,000 and continues to raise more than the other candidates in the race combined. He has also received contributions from more individual donors than any other candidate, demonstrating the broad grassroots enthusiasm behind his campaign. In January alone, Girmay raised an additional $100,000, bringing his total to a record-breaking $415,000 in just the second month of the campaign. His ability to raise significant resources early—both in total dollars and in grassroots support—ensures that our campaign will have the infrastructure needed to run a winning operation throughout 2025.