King County Executive

Question 1

While many of the above efforts pertain to the City of Seattle, what additional steps would you take as a King County official to enhance public safety in downtown Seattle?
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Claudia Balducci

As a former public safety professional, I’ve learned firsthand how important it is to have fully-staffed, well-trained public safety agencies that respect and partner with the communities they serve. As Executive, I’ll work everyday to make safety something you can expect anywhere in the County – including in downtown Seattle. I will implement a comprehensive approach, grounded in accountability and compassion, that supports prevention, response, and recovery. My priorities will include:

Staffing law enforcement and crisis intervention teams, growing the co-responder program, and focusing on training and accountability;

Expanding behavioral health and addiction treatment, accelerating the development of crisis care centers and expanding mental health facility and treatment options, better coordinating services;

Reducing gun violence by maintaining and stabilizing funding for the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, expanding behavioral health care, and engaging with law enforcement, judges, and experts in violence prevention;

Strengthening the functioning of the justice system and reducing case backlogs by fully funding the courts, funding reasonable public defender caseloads, and coordinating across agencies;

Maintaining and expanding community and special courts like drug court and veterans court, which are proven models to stop the cycle of recidivism;

Keeping transit safe by implementing recommendations of the Transit Safety Task Force, which I am helping to lead;

Maintaining safe jail facilities while evolving to changing needs and to provide more supportive services;

Making contract city, tribal, and agency relationships a priority;

Filling gaps in our crisis response, including adapting the West Wing of the Seattle jail to become an intervention center for community members in crisis; and,

Holding ourselves accountable to outcomes, tracking and scaling what is working across our public safety response, and being unafraid to reexamine and change what is not.

Girmay Zahilay

As a King County official, I’d expand crisis response teams, improve treatment access, increase low-barrier housing, enhance transit safety, and support effective criminal justice responses. I’d also engage business and community stakeholders to align strategies and ensure coordinated public safety solutions.

Question 3

Fatal overdoses involving fentanyl in King County are climbing again. The 232 deaths in Q1 of 2025 is the highest level in over a year. What more can King County do to bring that number down?
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Claudia Balducci

The substance addiction crisis demands a comprehensive, coordinated response that addresses both public health and public safety. King County, as the primary provider of public health services and through programs like the Mental Illness & Drug Dependency (MIDD), and as a founding member and major funder of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA), has a central role in responding to the intersection of homelessness and addiction.

The crisis centers that are coming online will be essential: when people with addictions are taken off the street, King County can and must provide a place where people can be detoxed, stabilized and connected to supports including social work and drug treatment. We must use these moments of intervention to direct people to the services that can help them and stop spinning through cycles of crisis and the need for urgent public response.
I also recognize the critical role our law enforcement and first responders play on the front lines—administering life-saving care every day—and I am committed to ensuring they have the resources and support needed to meet this challenge.

As Executive, I will work with all parties to expand access to treatment, recovery services, and innovative programs like Health One and the administration of Buprenorphine in the field. Through Public Health, our law enforcement offices, and others, we must strengthen partnerships across local, county, and state levels to increase treatment capacity, improve overdose prevention efforts, and disrupt the supply of dangerous drugs in our communities; and through Public Health specifically, make sure effective treatments are available.

I am committed to a sustained, data-driven approach to respond to this crisis that supports first responders, reduces overdose deaths, spurs housing, and helps individuals struggling with addiction find a path to recovery—making cities safer and healthier for everyone.

Girmay Zahilay

I support expanding access to treatment, naloxone distribution, education, and overdose recovery teams. We must hold traffickers accountable while focusing on treatment for those in crisis to save lives and break the cycle of addiction.

Question 5

Supporting Downtown’s Revitalization: Given downtown’s critical role in the economic health and vitality of our city and region, what actions would you propose to accelerate its recovery? Specifically, what are your plans for returning County employees to in-person work, and how do you intend to leverage this transition to support economic recovery and enhance downtown vibrancy?
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Claudia Balducci

I am committed to the County doing its part to help downtown continue in recovery– from accelerating plans to redevelop the unused and underutilized county-owned properties along 5th Avenue, to continuing to ramp up in-person work to provide the best government service to the public and to contribute to a safe and vibrant downtown public realm that benefits employees, locals, and visitors alike. I will also use my leadership role in the Sound Transit Board and Metro to continue the focus on transit safety and station security, ensuring that people who live, work, and travel downtown can do so with peace of mind.

I will also partner with businesses, residents, the arts and cultural sectors, and other downtown stakeholders to make the County a true partner in economic development, support, and quality of life. As the lead Council advocate for the Doors Open creative economy funding, I am already endorsed and supported by many in this sector, and will expand this leadership to other communities that provide jobs and vibrancy in our downtown core.

As we expand transportation capacity, especially additional light rail tunnel capacity in downtown Seattle, I will partner closely with downtown stakeholders, the DSA and the city to create a smart construction plan along with robust mitigation and business support so that we protect the recovery and the vibrancy of downtown through the next wave of major construction.

Girmay Zahilay

I’ll enforce the previous Executive’s mandate of 3 days back in-office. I’ll promote mixed-use development, support small businesses, ensure safe transit and vibrant public spaces using arts and culture funding. I’ll partner with the community to activate parks and public spaces downtown to promote foot traffic.

Question 7

Mobility and Transportation Infrastructure: Over the next decade, downtown Seattle will undergo significant changes with major projects such as Revive I-5, the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup (bringing over 400,000 visitors), and the Ballard Link Extension, which will add two new tunnels and six stations within a three-mile stretch of the downtown core. Without proper planning and proactive mitigation strategies, 10–12 years of concurrent construction could significantly disrupt economic activity, mobility, and quality of life.

How will you work with public agencies and community stakeholders to ensure the seamless movement of people and goods while supporting the successful execution of these critical projects?
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Claudia Balducci

I’ve been called a transit die-hard, and it’s a badge I wear proudly. I’ve fought for years to bring to life a new vision for transportation in our county, working hard to expand transit options, active transportation, innovative transportation solutions, and to prioritize road safety. I’m proud to have been the force behind light rail on the Eastside, as well as investments in RapidRide, bike and pedestrian safety improvements, and regional trails.

As Executive, I will double down on my commitment to deliver a diverse and accessible transportation system that works for all, and do so in thoughtful partnership with all stakeholders. I will:

Chart the path to implement our long range bus plan – Metro Connects – which will make frequent transit accessible to 73% of people within walking distance of their home;

Deliver light rail expansions and ST3 projects more quickly and reliably;

Accelerate transit, trail and other transportation projects by reforming project delivery, using lessons learned from the Sound Transit Technical Advisory Group and best practices from around the country and world;

Use the Executive’s influence and appointment authority to make sure the Sound Board and agency centers riders’ needs and experiences in all agency plans services;

Address transit safety by implementing the Transit Safety Task Force recommendations;

Expand and connect our regional trail system to build on the 4-county Leafline Trail Network vision;

Continue support for transit-oriented development, expanding beyond Sound Transit properties to Metro Park & Rides, carpool lots, and other opportunities; and,

Expand regional rail, including all day service on Sounder Commuter rail and accelerating planning for high speed rail connecting Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver.

Please also see the response above re: downtown revitalization for more on planning and mitigating disruptions during construction.

Girmay Zahilay

I’ll promote strong coordination between stakeholders, including setting up a regional point of contact with the FIFA Seattle team. We’ll ensure reliable transit, safe pedestrian access, real-time updates, and business support to minimize disruption and keep people and goods moving smoothly.