Claudia Balducci and Girmay Zahilay are running in the nonpartisan general election for county executive of King County, Washington, on Nov. 4, 2025. The county executive leads county employees, manages the biennial budget, and delivers services to county residents.

This is the first open seat up for election since 2009. Dow Constantine held the office from that 2009 election until his resignation in March 2025. The King County Council appointed Shannon Braddock interim county executive on April 1. Braddock did not run for election following her appointment.

Balducci and Zahilay advanced from the primary on Aug. 5, 2025. They defeated six other candidates, with Zahilay receiving 44.2% of the vote and Balducci 29.8%. Though the position is officially nonpartisan, both Balducci and Zahilay are Democrats.

Balducci and Zahilay currently serve on the King County Council. The Cascadia Advocate’s Henry Leyden writes, “[Balducci and Zahilay] have repeatedly voiced agreement on values, principles, and policy directions. Both are emphasizing housing, public safety and transportation as priorities in their campaigns, and both would govern as progressives. That has led many Democratic activists and nonprofit leaders to conclude that King County will be in good hands regardless of which frontrunner prevails.”

Democrats and progressive organizations have split their endorsements between the two. Notable endorsements for Balducci include Washington Auditor Pat McCarthy (D), U.S. Rep. Marilyn Strickland (D), The Seattle Times, and SEIU Local 925. Notable endorsements for Zahilay include Gov. Bob Ferguson (D), Washington Attorney General Nick Brown (D), U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D), and Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates.

Balducci is a labor attorney and was elected to King County Council District 6 in 2015. She says, “We deserve to feel and be safe in our communities – which is why I have delivered public safety solutions from support for law enforcement to crime prevention, and behavioral health responses. Our communities are growing increasingly expensive – which is why I fight for expanded access to affordable housing and convenient, sustainable transportation options. I’m excited for the opportunity to bring my experience, perseverance and proven record to the office of County Executive.”

Zahilay is a business attorney and was elected to King County Council District 2 in 2019. The council unanimously appointed him chair on January 14, 2025. His campaign website says he is running “because he believes we can extend safety and opportunity to every resident. … He will work to attract major employers while nurturing a supportive landscape for small businesses. He will champion safe neighborhoods so that small businesses can thrive and cut red tape so they can prosper. He will support strong labor standards and good pay, and do everything possible to promote a healthy workforce.”

The county executive serves four-year terms. However, the winner of this election will only serve a three-year term following the passing of Amendment 1 in 2022, which moved King County elections from odd years to even years. The winner of the county executive election in 2028 will return to serving a four-year term.