Dear Friends,

We’re excited to share big news: the King County Democrats and King County Young Democrats have  endorsed Girmay Zahilay for King County Executive! So have the Democrats for Diversity and Inclusion.

We are also leading all candidates in endorsements from Democratic legislative districts across the region. Eleven local Democratic organizations from around the region have voted to endorse our campaign for King County Executive race so far: 11th LD (sole endorsement!), 31st LD (sole endorsement!), 33rd LD (sole endorsement!), 36th LD (sole endorsement!), 46th LD (sole endorsement!), 37th LD (sole endorsement!), 34th LD, 32nd LD, 1st LD, 30th LD, and the 47th LD.

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Why are Democrats coalescing behind our campaign? Because they know Girmay has a proven track record of delivering results—and that’s exactly what King County needs.

Our community want a leader who prioritizes safety, affordability, and accountability. They want someone who can tackle our biggest challenges, like homelessness, mental health, and the rising cost of living, with urgency and practical solutions.

As Chair of the County Council, Girmay has worked with you to deliver:

• Crisis care centers to address the addiction crisis
• Expanded affordable housing all over the region
• Raised the minimum wage for our workforce
• Expanded violence prevention programs
• Passed tenant protection laws that kept thousands housed

Now, we need your help to keep this momentum going.

Chip in today to fuel the next phase of this campaign, or sign up to volunteer and bring this movement to your neighborhood:

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[Donate now]

[Volunteer here]

Thank you for believing in results, in progress, and in people.

With gratitude,
Team Girmay

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To: Interested Parties
From: Michael Fertakis, General Consultant, Team Girmay
Date: June 12, 2025

Good morning,

As ballots prepare to drop next month, Team Girmay is surging into June with great momentum. We are leading in every major category and expanding our coalition across King County.

#1 in fundraising

#1 in individual donors

#1 in endorsements across LDs, unions, tribes, and elected officials

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#1 IN FUNDRAISING: $761,000+

We’ve now raised $761,795.27, the most of any candidate in the race and the most ever raised at this point in a campaign for any King County office in history. We’re also leading in cash on hand and in individual donors, demonstrating the unmatched power of our grassroots movement.

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UNMATCHED ENDORSEMENT MOMENTUM

We remain #1 in endorsements in every major category, from unions, tribes, Democratic LDs, and elected officials. As you might know, Girmay has all the big name endorsers in this race from Governor Ferguson and Attorney General Nick Brown to Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and Congressman Adam Smith.

New endorsements this month include:

King County Democrats

King County Young Democrats

36th LD (sole endorsement)

37th LD (sole endorsement)

46th LD (sole endorsement)

1st LD

30th LD

32nd LD

34th LD

47th LD

Democrats for Diversity and Inclusion

Puget Sound Sage

ILWU Local 19

Auburn Councilmember Kate Baldwin

Bothell Councilmember Jenne Alderks

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These new endorsements build on last month’s reported endorsements from the 11th, 31st, and 33rd LDs, Senator Claire Wilson, Senator Noel Frame, Representative Jamila Taylor, and dozens of community leaders and organizations across the region.

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POLICY LEADERSHIP IN ACTION

Girmay is not just campaigning—he’s governing, and showing what bold, community-rooted leadership looks like in real time. Since our last update, he’s continued to lead on the biggest issues facing King County:

• Opposing Trump’s racist travel ban
  Watch the video
  
  
• Protecting healthcare by fighting for Medicaid
  Read the motion and press release
  
  
• Fighting for seniors in rural towns like Carnation
  See the visit
  
  
• Protecting reproductive care
  Girmay introduced legislation reaffirming King County’s commitment to reproductive rights.
  
  
• Fixing the budget crisis
  He is leading efforts to stabilize King County services and avoid devastating cuts.
  

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WHAT’S NEXT:

Earn critical endorsements from the Stranger, Seattle Times, The Urbanist and more

Extend our record-breaking fundraising lead

Activate our volunteer base

Keep fighting to shield our region from the Trump administration’s damaging policies

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Thank you for being part of this journey. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Michael Fertakis
General Consultant, Team Girmay
www.electgirmay.com

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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

To: Interested Parties
From: Michael Charles, General Consultant, Team Girmay
Date: April 10, 2025

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Dear Friends,

Girmay Zahilay’s campaign for King County Executive is surging with historic momentum. Below is our monthly update, highlighting broad coalition-building, thoughtful policy proposals, and record-breaking fundraising.

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Fastest to Raise $663,000 in King County History

Girmay has raised $663,485.27 in the first four months of his campaign, leading the field in both total dollars and number of individual donors—outpacing the next closest candidate by more than $236,000. This makes Girmay the fastest candidate in King County history to reach the $663,000 milestone.

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800 Supporters Pack the Paramount for Our Biggest Event Yet

Last week, nearly 800 supporters filled the Paramount Theatre for our 3rd Annual Hometown Heroes Luncheon, a celebration of everyday leaders building a stronger, more compassionate region.

The event featured remarks from Governor Bob Ferguson and NBA legend Gary Payton, with icons like Danny Glover and Dave Matthews in attendance. We honored a moving slate of local heroes.

• Mujer Al Volante – organization supporting low-income immigrant women find economic opportunity through a driver’s license
  
• Luna Crone-Barón – young advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights
  
• Toyia Taylor – youth leadership and public speaking champion
  
• The late Frank Chopp, honored posthumously for his life of public service
  

This event wasn’t just a fundraiser—it was a powerful reminder of the energy, diversity, and determination fueling this campaign.

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Leading in Endorsements

Momentum is building across every sector:

• Ironworkers Local 86 and the Northwest Ironworkers District Council are the latest to join our labor coalition, the broadest union support of any candidate in the race.
  
  
• Girmay also leads in endorsements from elected officials, tribal nations, and LDs across the region.
  

Click here to see our full list of endorsers.

Grassroots Energy Keeps Growing

Our volunteer base is expanding fast:

• Nearly 130 volunteers have signed up and are already in action: helping with events, phone banking, marching in parades, tabling, and running digital outreach.
  
  
• We’re organizing across every region of King County to build real, people-powered change.
  

Early Endorsement Win: 31st LD Democrats

Girmay earned the first legislative district endorsement in the Executive’s race from the 31st LD Democrats: a major early signal of grassroots strength as we gear up for more LD votes.

New Policy Platform: Reproductive Rights

Girmay remains the only candidate in the race releasing bold, detailed policy plans. This week, we launched his Reproductive Rights Platform—a comprehensive roadmap for expanding reproductive health access and justice in King County.

Read the full plan »

Highlights include:

• Protecting and expanding abortion access
  
• Increasing services in underserved areas
  
• Investing in maternal health and birth equity
  
• Advancing long-term reproductive justice
  

You can also find our platforms on Public Safety, Homelessness, and Childcare on our Priorities Page.

What’s Next:

Secure additional legislative district endorsements

Expand our fundraising lead

Grow community-based organizing and listening sessions

Build broader labor, business, and community coalitions

Release more bold, actionable policy proposals

Thank you for your continued support. Let’s win in August and deliver for the people of this region.

In solidarity,
Michael Charles
General Consultant, Team Girmay

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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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“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.