Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda; DeVitta Briscoe, Executive Director of Not This Time; UFCW 21 headline outpouring of support for County Executive’s leadership and vision for positive change
King County – Today, King County Executive Dow Constantine announced a slate of major endorsements including unions, elected officials, and civic and community leaders from across the region.
This latest set of endorsers demonstrates the broad support for Constantine’s re-election and showcases his clear priorities for the next term. Support includes construction, grocery, health care and other unions who count on Constantine to restore our economy and fight income inequality, and City Councilmembers throughout the County who continue to collaborate with Constantine on regional challenges like homelessness, climate change, and transportation.
These groups and elected leaders are joined by a growing list of anti-racism and social justice leaders, anti-poverty advocates, and community voices working with Constantine in co-creating policies and programs to transform policing, the criminal legal system, homelessness and housing strategies, gun violence prevention, and advancing social equity.
Constantine previously announced historic early endorsements from Governor Jay Inslee; over three dozen current and former state legislators; MLK Labor; SEIU 6, 775, 925, and 1199NW; and King County mayors representing an overwhelming majority of the county’s city residents.
“I’m honored by this resounding support from so many of the King County partners we work with every day – from our local government colleagues, to labor unions representing our essential workers, to community leaders who share my commitment to building a more just, equitable region,” said Constantine. “This support is validation for my inclusive approach as Executive: networks of trusted community voices delivering affordable health care, low income transit fare, accessible COVID vaccines, and co-creating bold, effective investments and the deep work needed to reach the True North we have set out for King County: A place where every one of us is welcome, and where all people can thrive.”
“In the wake of police violence here in King County, Dow brought impacted communities together for the tough, honest conversations we need so that justice can be achieved,” said DeVitta Briscoe, Executive Director, Not This Time. “As a family member who lost a beloved brother to police violence, it means something that Dow backed his words with action and collaboration with those most impacted. With Dow, we have a leader deeply committed to demanding change and prioritizing what’s right, not just what is politically expedient. He’s earned my vote, and I hope you will join me in supporting his re-election because we have more work to do.”
“Dow and his team were early supporters of innovation in addressing the health and wellbeing of adults who cycle through the jail and court systems,” said Lisa Daugaard, a longtime advocate for criminal justice reform. “Through public policy and investment of funds, Dow’s administration has committed to shifting the paradigm for responding to behavioral health issues and related public order problems, from punishment to health, recovery and stabilization. Under Dow’s leadership, King County moved away from criminalization earlier and further than almost any county in the US, though this work is of course not done.”
“Dow is a leader who listens to all communities in every part of our county – not just the well-off, not just Seattle,” said Carlos Jimenez, advocate for social, racial, and economic justice, and Board Chair, Centro Cultural Mexicano. “He’s someone who leads with equity, builds programs with cultural sensitivity, and ensures real community input into the policies and the priorities of King County. As we seek to identify, address, and eliminate systemic racism and build a more just region for all, I trust Dow Constantine to continue leading with inclusion and thoughtfulness.”
Endorsements include:
Unions
UFCW 21
Northwest Carpenters Union
Laborers 242
Teamsters 117
Elected Officials
Auburn Councilmember Larry Brown
Bellevue Councilmember John Stokes
Bellevue Councilmember Janice Zahn
Bothell Councilmember James McNeal
Bothell Councilmember Mason Thompson
Burien Councilmember Sofia Aragon
Burien Councilmember Krystal Marx
Issaquah Councilmember Tola Marts
Issaquah Councilmember Victoria Hunt
Kirkland Councilmember Jay Arnold
Seattle Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda
Tukwila Councilmember De’Sean Quinn
Tukwila Councilmember Zak Idan
Community Leaders
Tony Au, Business Leader
DeVitta Briscoe, Executive Director, Not This Time*
Brian Carter, Executive Director, 4Culture*
Lisa Daugaard, Executive Director, Public Defender Association*
Alison Eisinger, Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness*
Carlos Jimenez, Board Chair, Centro Cultural Mexicano*
Daniel Malone, Executive Director, Downtown Emergency Service Center*
Hamdi Mohamed, Executive Office of Equity & Social Justice*
Chris Porter, Supervisor, King Conservation District*
Rob Saka, King County Charter Review Commission*
Arun Sharma, UTSAV USA*
Lalita Uppala, Indian Association of Western WA, King County Library System Board, King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission*
*Organization listed for identification purposes only.