The contest to pick a new King County Executive is heating up with ballots due to drop soon in the August election
This summer, for the first time in twenty years, voters in King County wont see Dow Constantines name on their ballot as a candidate for Executive, the countys top job. The electorate of the states largest jurisdiction will instead have to sort through a field of eight candidates hoping to take over for Constantines appointed successor Shannon Braddock this autumn after the general election was certified. Constantine announced last November he would not seek a fifth term, then resigned several weeks ago to become CEO of Sound Transit, the regional transportation authority.
The frontrunners among the field are widely considered to be King County Councilmembers Girmay Zahilay (2nd District) and Claudia Balducci (6th District).
Zahilay has so far raised $812,576.27; Balducci has raised $619,226.29. Each has an impressive list of endorsers. Trailing them are King County Assessor John Wilson, who continues to be dogged by accusations of stalking and harassment against his former partner, and five other candidates who have raised almost no money: Amiya Ingram, Don L. Rivers, Rebecca Leigh Williamson, Derek Chartrand, and Bill Hirt.
With ballots going into the mail soon, the frontrunners are placing ad buys, commissioning polls to ascertain their electoral strength (or lack thereof), and keeping exceptionally busy schedules. Both Balducci and Zahilay participated in yesterdays Seattle Pride Parade, accompanied by supporters enthusiastically waving their campaign signs.
https://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2025/07/the-contest-to-pick-a-new-king-county-executive-is-heating-up-with-ballots-due-to-drop-soon-in-the-august-top-two-election.html