With his announcement today that he will be running for the King County Executive seat, we look back at Girmay Zahilay’s first interview after being elected to the King County Council in 2019. Zahilay sat down with K. Wyking Garrett on The AC Podcast to discuss his priorities, vision and stated commitment to community empowerment. This conversation, which took place before Zahilay was sworn into office in January 2020, offered a glimpse into the values and goals that would shape his tenure as a council member.

Early Life and Motivation

Zahilay, who grew up in public housing in South Seattle, spoke about his upbringing as a driving force behind his political engagement. He shared how his mother's struggles as a nursing assistant, working double shifts to make ends meet, instilled in him a sense of responsibility to create positive change. "Understanding the responsibility that I have to take, the sacrifices she made to make positive change in my community is my primary driver," Zahilay stated.

Priorities for King County

Zahilay identified housing as his top priority, emphasizing the importance of stable housing as a foundation for well-being. He expressed his commitment to working with community organizations to develop affordable housing and promote homeownership. "We need to put pressure on these government agencies and these developers to release that land...to build affordable housing, to promote home ownership with through community land trusts," he asserted.

Addressing Inequality and Building Wealth

The interview also delved into the stark income and wealth disparities in King County. Zahilay acknowledged the systemic issues that have contributed to these inequities, including redlining, discriminatory lending practices, and mass incarceration. He advocated for policies that would promote economic justice and wealth building within marginalized communities.

Zahilay expressed his support for reparations, both at the federal and local levels, as a means of addressing past and present injustices. He also highlighted the need for progressive taxation to fund programs that would benefit those who have been historically marginalized. "We gotta tax Amazon. We gotta tax the wealthiest in our region and really redistribute that wealth to where it needs to go," he declared.

Community Engagement and Political Access

A key theme throughout the interview was Zahilay's emphasis on community engagement and political access. He stressed the importance of bringing government to the people and making sure that marginalized communities have a seat at the table. "We need to make sure that we're doing all we can to come to community, to hold office hours, to collect these email addresses and phone numbers and call people and and talk about the things they care about," he explained.

Zahilay also discussed the need to build political power and direct community frustration towards the systems and structures that perpetuate inequality. He called for greater collaboration and unity within communities to achieve shared goals.

A Vision for the Future

Zahilay's vision for King County was one of equity, justice, and community empowerment. He envisioned a county where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background or zip code. "We can't just treat the symptoms, right? We gotta kind of get in the root," he stated.

Key Takeaways

• Zahilay's upbringing in public housing and his mother's struggles motivated him to pursue political office.

• His top priorities include housing, addressing income and wealth inequality, and promoting community engagement.

• He supports reparations and progressive taxation as means of achieving economic justice.

• He emphasizes the importance of bringing government to the people and making sure that marginalized communities have a voice.

• His vision for King County is one of equity, justice, and community empowerment.

This interview offers valuable insight into Girmay Zahilay's vision for King County in 2019 and his priorities as he embarked on his journey as a King County Council member. Looking back 5 years, what are your thoughts? Sound off in the comments.