♪♪
Announcer: Welcome to the
King County Video Voters' Guide,
your chance to hear directly
from the candidates
on the Aug. 3 primary.
This is an all-mail election.
Instead of going to
a polling place, ballots will be
sent to all registered voters.
In this edition,
we've invited the candidates
who will appear
on the primary ballot
for King County Executive
and King County Council
and representatives
who support and oppose
a proposed property tax levy
for children, youth,
families, and communities.
The offices are nonpartisan.
Each of the statements is up to
two minutes long and unedited.
The speakers appear on your
screen in the same order
as they will on the ballot.
If only one or two candidates
filed for a seat, that position
goes straight to
the general election
and does not appear
on the primary ballot.
Look for our general election
video in October.
First up,
King County Proposition 1.
King County Proposition No. 1
is a proposed renewed property
tax levy for children, youth,
families, and communities.
If approved by voters,
Proposition 1 would authorize
a six-year property tax
of 19 cents per $1,000
of assessed valuation
beginning January 1, 2022.
The program would fund
prevention and early
intervention services
and capital investments,
including funding
for child care, prenatal,
and newborn family services,
youth-development programs,
social, emotional,
and mental health supports,
and homelessness prevention.
This measure will appear
only on the primary ballot.
All voters in King County
are eligible to vote on
King County Proposition 1.
Every kid deserves a strong start in life
and the opportunity to reach their potential.
That's why it's essential that we renew
Best Starts for Kids, Prop. 1 on our ballot.
Best Starts is an effective,
evidence-based levy that maintains
and expands community-led programs
proven to help young people at every stage of life.
The levy supports equitable investments
in children of color to overcome racial justice,
providing important community support.
We know that investing early helps kids thrive.
Prop. 1 supports prevention
and early intervention strategies
that have helped thousands of kids stay in school,
address personal challenges, and avoid involvement
in the criminal legal system --
cost-effective engagement
that facilitates future success.
Your vote to approve Prop. 1 also expands
school-based health programs
and counseling services, helping address
the alarming increase in youth depression
and other behavioral health concerns
during the pandemic.
Best Starts for Kids supports vulnerable families.
Renewal continues outreach and partnerships
for pregnant and parenting families
so babies and children
have the strongest start in life
and will provide thousands of low-income families
access to child care.
That is critical for economic recovery,
family stability, and gender equity,
especially for moms who left the workforce
during the pandemic.
In addition, levy dollars have already helped
over 10,000 families avoid homelessness.
Renewal continues rental assistance
and other critical homelessness prevention strategies.
Please join Executive Dow Constantine,
along with city council members, mayors,
and organizations serving children and families
across our county,
supporting Prop. 1 to renew Best Starts for Kids.
For more information, please visit
BestStartsForKids.org.
Thank you.
Announcer: The office of
King County Executive.
The county executive manages
the delivery of such regional
services as criminal justice,
metro transit,
and wastewater treatment.
In 2020, the voters of
King County amended the charter
so that the sheriff became
an appointed position.
Beginning in 2022,
the sheriff will be appointed
by the executive and confirmed
by the county council.
The executive also directs
the local services provided
to those in the unincorporated
areas outside of cities.
This is a nonpartisan position
and is elected
for a four-year term.
All voters in King County
can vote for county executive.
The top two vote-getters
will advance to the
general election in November.
As I was walking here to the TV studio,
I saw a number of tents.
Actually, I saw a lot of tents,
signifying that there's homeless people
in our society.
And it seems that each year
the number of homeless people
have increased and increased and increased
under the policies that we have.
And I, Goodspaceguy,
candidate for King County Executive,
am accusing the job-destroying
minimum wage as being the culprit.
So I say that the minimum wage,
the job-destroying minimum wage
of the command economy of socialism,
is destroying jobs
and creating the homeless people.
So in raising the level of prosperity
in King County,
we should start with the homeless
and make it legal for them to get back to work.
It's wrong of government
to step in and say to people,
"You may not sell your labor at a bargain.
You have to sell it at a certain price
where people, when they consider your problems,
will not hire you."
So that is a wrong thing to do.
So the best economic system,
for raising the living standard in King County
is called capitalism.
Capitalism, with its profit incentive,
serves the consumers better
and gets a more balanced economy.
So capitalism and its supply and demand
and its profit-seeking
best serves the consumers
and best raises the living standard.
When I lived in Germany,
I noticed people fleeing
from East Germany, socialism,
to West Germany,
land of capitalism.
And this was a voluntary vote with their feet.
When COVID arrived here,
the first place in the country
impacted by this deadly virus,
I took swift, decisive action.
We led with science and reason
and saved thousands of lives
and reduced our infection rate
to among the lowest in the nation.
"The New York Times" reported
that had the rest of America followed our lead,
the nation could have avoided
more than 300,000 deaths.
As we emerge from the pandemic, I'm bringing
that same clarity and resolve
to the toughest challenges
and uniting our region
for an economic recovery
where everyone can thrive.
We're taking bold action on homelessness,
moving thousands off the streets
and into housing with services to restore lives.
And through my Best Starts for Kids initiative,
we've kept 10,000 children and families
safely housed.
This housing crisis, made worse by the pandemic,
requires both compassion
and the proven ability to drive real change.
We're improving public safety and public trust
by investing in gun violence prevention
and aid to victims
of domestic violence and other crimes,
and collaborating with communities
to create real safety.
I've asked community leaders to work with me
as we appoint a new sheriff
who's accountable to me,
the council, and the people.
We're helping kids stay in school, graduate,
and avoid the criminal legal system,
and I've succeeded in driving down
the youth detention rate nearly tenfold.
And I'm taking urgent action on climate,
leading the fight for regional light rail,
and converting Metro to an all-electric fleet.
And there's more exciting progress to come.
I'm grateful for the endorsements
of Governors Inslee, Gregoire, and Locke,
over 40 Democratic legislators,
the MLK Labor Council,
health care workers, firefighters,
building trades,
the Washington Conservation Voters,
and the Alliance for Gun Responsibility.
My commitment to public service was instilled in me
by my parents, retired public school teachers.
Today, Shirley and I are raising our daughter
in the same West Seattle neighborhood
where I grew up.
Let's keep working together to help
all King County families thrive.
Thank you.
After 12 years of the current leadership
failing to solve our biggest problems
like homelessness, it's time for change.
My name is Joe Nguyen,
and I'm running for King County Executive
because we don't have time
to wait for incremental progress.
Homelessness isn't waiting.
Climate change isn't waiting.
Racial inequities aren't waiting.
The status quo isn't working,
and we need leaders who share the same experiences
as families in King County
and will act with the urgency required
to deliver results.
I'm the son of refugees from White Center,
and growing up in unincorporated King County,
I saw firsthand how much of a difference
investing in people can make.
When I was 7 years old,
my dad was in a terrible car accident.
It left him quadriplegic, and my family relied
on anti-poverty programs like TANF to get by.
Because of that assistance and years of hard work,
I broke the cycle of poverty
and built a successful career in the private sector.
Now I represent the community
that held me and my family up
as a state senator in the legislature.
And since taking office, we've passed policies
that are making a difference in people's lives --
tax breaks for seniors and working families,
strengthening police accountability,
and funding the same anti-poverty programs
my family relied on so countless others
can stay housed and fed through this pandemic.
We've made tremendous progress in the legislature
but need leaders who will work with the same urgency
to get things done in the county.
We need an executive who will uplift the voices
of those in the community
instead of making them fight just to be heard.
Homelessness has been an emergency
for over a decade, and nothing seems to change.
It's time for the Executive's Office to get it done
because families in King County work hard
every day to improve their lives.
They deserve a leader who will work
just as hard for them.
My name is Joe Nguyen.
I'm running for County Executive,
and I'd be honored to earn your vote.
Announcer: King County Council.
As the legislative branch
of county government,
the Metropolitan
King County Council
sets the policies,
enacts the laws,
and adopts the budgets that
guide the largest jurisdiction
in Washington State.
Its mission is to protect
public health and safety,
enhance quality of life,
and ensure public trust.
This is a nonpartisan position.
Members are elected
for four-year terms.
This year, three of the nine
council positions will appear
on the primary ballot.
Hi, everyone. my name is Joe Cohen.
And I'm running for King County Council District 3.
Having been born and raised here on the Eastside,
I'm running to represent our community at a time
when we face unprecedented challenges.
The Eastside needs a champion
on the King County Council
to represent our interests
and who understands our perspective.
My experience as an attorney
and strong record of public service
have uniquely prepared me
to serve our community in this moment.
For example, it's been six years
since a homelessness emergency
was announced in King County,
and things have only gotten worse.
Having led oversight
investigations into government waste,
fraud, and abuse,
I'll demand accountability
in how we address homelessness
so we can finally make meaningful progress
on this crisis.
I'll also be relentless in my pursuit of integrity
and efficiency in the King County government
to make sure that the county's budget
is spent on programs
that deliver results for our community.
I also have 10 years
of criminal justice policy experience,
including at the US Department of Justice,
on Senator Maria Cantwell's legislative staff,
and in the Obama White House.
This will allow me to help ensure public safety
while simultaneously bringing transparency
and accountability to the King County Sheriff's Office.
And having been able to enjoy our area's
natural beauty my entire life,
I'll work to combat climate change
and protect salmon habitat so that we can continue
to enjoy what makes our area
such a special place to live.
I'm honored to have the endorsements
of respected Eastside leaders,
including Representative Amy Walen,
Newcastle Deputy Mayor Tony Ventrella,
and Redmond City Council members Jessica Forsythe
and Steve Fields.
I've also been endorsed by the 48th
and 39th Legislative District Democrats.
My name is Joe Cohen,
and I'm asking for your vote
so that we can work together to get things done.
Thank you for being an active and interested voter.
My name is Kathy Lambert,
and I'm the King County Council member
for District 3, running for reelection.
We are seeing many changes in our communities
as we come out of COVID and deal with
many financial and social issues before us.
It takes somebody with experience
willing to listen to everyone and find solutions
to the many issues before us.
I have been and hope to continue to be that leader
for you and our county.
This position is nonpartisan,
which is critical in a diverse district as ours.
It's about getting the job done,
of providing local and regional services
without political infighting.
I represent the largest of the districts,
with urban, rural, and suburban areas,
so I must always be aware of
and listen to the many voices
to find a common solution
to meet the varied needs.
I'm involved in many important issues.
One is the community courts.
This helps to bring services to people in crisis.
We started this program as a pilot
in my district, and it has spread
to other cities.
On June 2nd, "The Seattle Times" editorial board
described this program by saying it demonstrates
that compassion and accountability
are not mutually exclusive,
but complementary actions
that can help individuals
and communities thrive.
On the Law and Justice Committee,
I am prepared to work on implementing
the new voter-approved rules
for the sheriff's department duties
and to protect our citizens.
I'm also the chair
of the Regional Water Quality Committee,
working on the Clean Water Plan for our county
and planning for adequate wastewater
infrastructure for a growing population.
I was, in 2013, named
the United Way Outstanding
Elected Official of the Year
and, in 2019, was selected to be
"Governing" magazine, Women in Leadership.
I am also enjoying finding so many ways
to bring people together.
I hope that you will look at my webpage,
KathyLambert.com,
and vote for me, Kathy Lambert,
so that I can continue to serve you.
Thank you.
Hi. I'm Sarah Perry.
I'm a small-business owner, nonprofit executive,
coalition builder, and candidate to be your voice
on King County Council
representing District 3.
After three decades of living,
working, and volunteering in Issaquah,
Sammamish, Redmond, Woodinville,
and the Snoqualmie Valley,
I'm proud of my record
of collaboration and results --
building affordable housing,
protecting access to higher education,
and running my own small business,
assisting organizations and innovators
in making their dreams a reality.
I'm running for County Council
because we need a champion for our communities
who will not only listen,
but will bring the results that we need
and are depending on at this critical time.
We're falling behind, and we can't afford
four more years of neglect.
What we need will not be addressed
by out-of-touch career politicians.
We need a leader
with a forward-thinking vision
and a deep understanding of the challenges
facing our region
and who will get the job done.
With your vote, I'll represent
our shared values and priorities.
I'll tackle climate change
and protect our open spaces --
our forests, water, and farmland.
I'll build realistic transit alternatives
and connections to meet the needs
of our working families.
And I'll remove barriers
for recovering small businesses,
assist families in need of child care,
and help our workers regain a foothold
in a changing economy.
I'm grateful to have earned the endorsements
of Attorney General Bob Ferguson,
King County Executive Dow Constantine,
Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz,
the Eastside and Redmond firefighters,
Washington Conservation Voters,
and dozens of elected and community leaders.
And I would be honored to earn your support
so that together we can ensure
that all of our families thrive
now and into the future.
Sarah Perry for King County Council District 3.
ElectSarahPerry.org. Thank you.
Hello. My name's Lydia Assefa-Dawson.
And I am running for
King County Council District 7.
In the past 28 years, our region
has changed significantly,
but our leadership has remained the same.
It is now time for a change in leadership
that reflects our community
and meets the urgent needs
of our families and businesses.
I am ready to rise to that challenge.
As an infant, I lost my legs
in an accidental fire.
I came from Ethiopia
in search of opportunities.
I have learned to cope with my disability
and the challenges associated with it,
all the while raising
three amazing sons.
The journey was not easy.
Having suffered housing insecurity
and financial hardships along the way,
I've dedicated my career to helping
vulnerable families regain stability
and independence during tough times.
As we recover from the pandemic,
my compassion, insights, and skills
are critical to recovery across our region.
For more than 28 years,
my career in cities, nonprofits,
and small businesses has focused
on serving people.
I have continuously initiated and served
on boards and commissions at the state,
county, and city levels
to address homelessness
and housing development,
education, youth, transportation,
the arts, social justice,
noise and environmental pollutants,
and fund allocation.
I have led as a member
of my Ethiopian community,
and for the past seven years,
I have also proudly served
on the Federal Way City Council,
and I have the vision and ethics we need
to see remarkable and long-anticipated
improvements for our region.
With your support and vote,
I'll work tirelessly in partnership
with key stakeholders, including you,
to create a culture of inclusivity,
health and wellness,
vibrant political leadership,
and economic vitality
for the communities of our region.
If you qualify
and are not registered to vote,
please register.
If you're registered to vote,
I thank you in advance for exercising
your right and privilege to vote.
My name is Lydia Assefa-Dawson,
and I am running for King County
Council District 7,
and I would be honored to earn your vote.
Thank you.
Hello. My name is Dominique Torgerson.
And I am running for King County Council
for District 7
because we need change.
I know all too well the issues
that we face in our rural unincorporated
areas of King County.
With completely unreasonable
and overburdensome permitting and zoning codes,
it is otherwise a miracle if someone can
even make it through
the permitting process at all,
much less without great financial
and mental difficulty.
It took our business two and a half years
to make it through what should have been
an over-the-counter permit.
King County does little to nothing to support
its rural or unincorporated businesses,
which is completely evident by the fact
that we have the absolute lowest percentage
of sales that comes from
the unincorporated areas
out of any county in this entire state,
at a minimal 3.2 percent.
And that is based on 2016 numbers.
King County basically has two principal sources
of tax revenue -- property tax and sales tax.
Property taxes levied by counties
can only increase by 1 percent every year.
With that limitation, we have to be able
to supplement our revenue
by getting sales tax.
But the only way to create this foundation
of stable sales tax revenue
is to support unincorporated businesses.
With such limited sales tax
coming back from the general fund,
we have absolutely no way
to continue to support the rural areas,
much less get funding for anything else.
My second issue that I want to address
is our effect on the environment.
We have such an inefficient recycling program
where most of what we recycle
still ends up in the landfills.
With the technology that is available,
there is absolutely no reason
we should even have landfills anymore.
And that is something I want to change.
Lastly, we need to get back
to listening to the people.
As elected officials, it is our duty
to be servants to the people.
The words "career" and "politician"
should never go hand in hand,
but, unfortunately, it is now all too common,
continually reinforced by greed
and need to excessively control.
If I am elected, I will push for term limits
that will effectively remove the incentive
for someone to try and make
an elected position a career.
My name is Saudia J. Abdullah,
and I'm asking for your vote for King County
Council District 7.
This area is special to me.
I'm raising my son here.
I work for King County.
I ride King County Metro buses.
I shop at our local businesses.
I relax and unwind in our beautiful parks.
My son attends public school here.
King County is our home.
That's why I know firsthand
the challenges our district is facing
and how important it is to have an advocate
on the council who's invested in our community.
South King County is changing, fast,
and we can't keep pretending the solutions
from the past will solve
the community's new challenges.
Here's what I know.
We all want to live in a community
where we support each other,
where our students are safe
and our businesses thrive,
where we embrace fresh perspectives
and creative solutions.
We all want to live
in a community we can be proud of.
And I want to work with you
to get us there together.
I know the new ideas will help us build
a brighter future for South King County.
That's why I want to be your next
King County Council member.
I'm asking for your vote because I'm ready
to work with you and for you
to make South King County
the vibrant, safe, and happy community
we know it can be.
Please visit FriendsOfSaudia.com
to learn more about me
and to be sure to follow our campaign
on social media.
My name is Saudia J. Abdullah,
and on Aug. 3,
I'd be honored to receive your vote
for King County Council District 7.
Hi. I'm Ubax Gardheere.
I'm a single, Black immigrant mother
and homeowner in the unincorporated area
of Renton, and I'm running
for King County Council in District 9.
I came to King County 25 years ago
as a 15-year-old refugee.
My values are shaped by my lived experiences,
my policy chops,
and my organizing background.
For decades, we have seen our Black, indigenous,
people of color communities
and working-class communities
facing systemic and structural racism.
These problems peaked last year with COVID
and a renewed reckoning
of systemic racial injustices.
Today, we need bold vision rooted in community
to reimagine how King County functions.
I bring four-decades-long experience
building policy to tackle
systemic issues in our region.
I have consistently delivered wins
on housing, better wages,
and community economic development.
I have managed millions of dollars
to build infrastructure
for community-based groups.
I successfully introduced bills in Congress.
And as your council member,
I will rebuild from our economic,
housing, climate, and health crisis
by increasing infrastructure access,
transforming our criminal legal system,
and preserving our farmlands,
forests, and waterways.
I will lead in creating
equitable economic opportunities
and public health resources for all our region.
I'll prioritize land use, transportation,
and housing policies to center communities
most impacted by these issues.
To tackle these issues, we need strategies
designed to be deployed concurrently
for transformative change.
King County is diverse.
All of us, no matter what we look like,
how long we've been here,
or what's in our wallets,
we all want to live
in the best places for our families.
We are fighting for our future.
Just like when we want
better wages for workers
and civil rights in our past,
we will do so moving forward together.
To achieve justice, we must be transparent
in our values and actions.
My aim is to build a movement
that will hold me accountable to my constituents.
Therefore, please vote Ubax
for King County Council District 9.
I'm Reagan Dunn, and it's been an honor
to serve you as your voice
on the King County Council.
I'm troubled by the dramatic increase in crime
and homelessness in this county,
and I believe we can do better.
The murder rate is up by a staggering 86 percent
over the last two years,
and our crime rate is the highest
it's been in 30 years.
I am one of the few voices on the council
fighting to give law enforcement
the tools they need to do their jobs.
I believe that we can fully fund
our criminal justice system,
and, at the same time, we can strive
for increased accountability within that system.
I'm the only member of the King County Council
with real crime-fighting experience,
having spent many years
working for the Department of Justice.
I was appointed by the President of the United States,
and I served as a federal prosecutor
with top secret clearance.
In Seattle, I worked
in the Terrorism and Violent Crime Unit
of the U.S. Attorney's Office.
I also led the Justice Department's
national initiative to fight gun violence.
As you may know, voters recently placed oversight
of the county sheriff's office in the hands
of the King County Council.
Our county needs at least one council member
who understands the need
to keep our neighborhoods safe.
I'm proud to have earned the endorsement
of all eight nonpartisan mayors in this district,
plus firefighters and police.
And I have also been honored as Washington State's
Outstanding Local Elected Official of the Year.
County government
faces significant challenges,
and I will work in a bipartisan manner
to fight crime, reduce homelessness,
protect the environment,
recover from the pandemic,
keep your taxes low, and continue to help
those who suffer from drug and alcohol addiction.
I'm Reagan Dunn. I work for you.
And I appreciate your vote.
Hi. My name is Kim-Khanh Van.
I'm a Renton City Council member,
immigration attorney,
working mom with two kiddos,
small-business owner, and your neighbor.
I'm running for King County Council District 9
because we need experienced, new leadership
and leadership that is connected
to our growing diverse communities,
from the suburbs to unincorporated areas
and to rural communities.
As a refugee from Vietnam,
my family came here seeking a better future.
Working multiple jobs
and the first in my family to graduate college,
I value hard work,
the importance of opportunity,
and the strength of community.
Our district deserves leadership
committed to these same principles --
a county council member dedicated to
an equitable recovery for our district
and committed to addressing unique challenges
facing our suburb, unincorporated,
and rural communities.
After 16 years of the same,
we need leadership in touch
with our communities' urgent needs.
I'm the only Democrat running for this position
with a proven track record
as an elected official and small-business owner.
I've expanded access to apprenticeship
and career pathways on Renton Technical College
Foundation Board,
advocated for seniors and veterans
through Sound Cities'
Senior Aging and Disability Council,
and supported VFW
and Wounded Warrior Project,
and built an inclusive region for all
on King County Coalition Against Hate and Bias
and King County regional approach
to gun violence and youth impacts.
I'm also a mom, PTA president,
and will be the first woman of color
elected to county council in nearly 40 years.
I'll build on my record of experienced leadership
on Renton City Council
to coordinate regional action on homelessness
and affordable housing, make overdue transit
and transportation improvements,
stand up for struggling local businesses,
and to protect our climate and way of life.
I will demand safety improvements,
sheriff's office reforms,
and equitable investment
to lift up our communities.
Together, we can recover
and move our region forward.
I've been endorsed by leaders and organizations
across the district
like Washington Conservation Voters,
Democrats, SEIU 1199,
Executive Constantine,
Treasurer Pellicciotti.
And I ask for your vote.
Announcer: Port of Seattle.
Because no more than two
candidates filed to run
in each of the three positions
on the ballot,
the Port of Seattle Commissioner
candidates will not appear
on the primary ballot this year.
They will be on the general
election ballot in November.
You've just seen
all the video statements
recorded by proponents
of King County Proposition 1
and candidates for King County
Executive and County Council.
We will produce another
Video Voters' Guide
for candidates who advance
to the general election
in November.
This program is a collaboration
of the Seattle Ethics
& Elections Commission,
the Seattle Channel,
and King County TV.
Ballots will be sent
to all registered voters.
Look for your ballot in the mail
after July 14th
and vote and return it
by Tuesday, Aug. 3.
Ballots can be returned
via U.S. mail
or in one of King County's
secured ballot drop boxes.
Ballots must be postmarked
by Aug. 3.
To learn about accessible
voting options, go to
kingcounty.gov/elections.
You can track the progress
of your ballot online
and find the location
of drop boxes by visiting
King County Elections at
kingcounty.gov/elections.
A video for candidates and
issues on the general election
ballot will be available
in October.
Thanks for joining us.
We'd like to hear from you
about the Video Voters' Guide.
To comment on this guide,
please call 206-684-8500.