(The Center Square) – On Tuesday, Girmay Zahilay, 38, was sworn in as King County executive, making him the youngest person to ever hold the position. He is also the first immigrant and the first refugee to lead Washington state’s largest county.
Zahilay was sworn in five weeks earlier than usual because he is replacing the appointed executive, Shannon Braddock, who stepped in after the resignation of Dow Constantine in April. Constantine resigned to become the CEO of Sound Transit, ending a 15-year tenure in that position.
Since winning election, Zahilay outlined four principal ideas that his administration will follow, which he calls “the four B’s for a better future”:
Breaking the cycle of homelessness, crime and addictionBuilding better governmentA boots-on-the-ground approachBuilding more affordable housing
In his remarks following his swearing in, Zahilay spoke on the challenges King County faced during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, including housing affordability issues, protecting public health and expanding crisis resource centers throughout the region.
“If we can get through all of that, then I know we can design solutions and find stability in this new era of threats we’re going through,” Zahilay said. “Whether it’s the historic affordability crisis that so many people in our home are experiencing right now. Whether it’s the massive cuts coming from the federal government, I know we will face the next set of challenges the same way we faced the last set: side-by-side.”
Zahilay’s first task as county lead will be to fill his District 2 seat on the King County Council that he held for nearly six years. He will provide three possible candidates to serve as temporary representative until a new candidate is elected in November 2026.
The council will then make an appointment to serve out the remainder of the term.
Zahilay stated he will only nominate individuals who do not intend on running in next year’s election, and will instead serve as a “caretaker” appointment.
During the Tuesday’ meeting, county council members praised Braddock for her leadership during her short term as executive, especially regarding challenges with federal funding and handling a $175 million general fund deficit without cuts to essential county services.
