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-Hi, everyone, my name is Girmay Zahilay, and I'm running
to be your next Councilmember for King County Council, District 2.
Growing up in Seattle, I always felt like we were living in
a tale of two cities.
This is a region of unprecedented wealth and also a region
where people are struggling to afford basic needs like housing.
A region known for technology and innovation,
and also a region that lacks basic infrastructure
and transportation.
A region known supposedly for progressivism
and one that continues to disproportionately
impact Black and Brown people through the justice system.
I'm running to be your Councilmember because we deserve
to live in a region that works for everyone.
I've seen firsthand how this economy fails to work
for all of our communities.
I was raised by a single mother who is an Ethiopian refugee.
We grew up in places like Rainier Vista, Holly Park,
and Skyway. Every night my mom would tuck her kids
into bed, and instead of going to bed herself, she would put on her
scrubs and work nightshift at two local nursing homes.
Even though she worked double shift every day,
she still struggled to pay rent, to pay for her car,
to pay medical bills and child care.
After a lifetime of hard work, these challenges
are even greater today.
I'm running for King County Council to design
bold solutions to these regional problems.
We can live in a county where if you work a full-time job,
you don't live in constant fear of losing your home
and being displaced because there is affordable housing
and there are opportunities for home ownership in our neighborhoods.
We can live in a County where maintaining a car no longer
traps families in a cycle of poverty and destroys
our environment because more people have access to
reliable, effective public transit.
We can live in a County where our youth can prosper because
they have limitless educational opportunities and a justice system
that seeks to rehabilitate and restore rather than incarcerate
and traumatize.
My name is Girmay Zahilay, and I know we can
work together to make this a County that truly works for everyone.
-My name is Larry Gossett, your King County Councilmember from District 2.
Please vote for me by November 5th so that together
we can finish the very important work that we've been
doing together in Martin Luther King Jr. County.
I'm an experienced legislator fighting along with a community-wide team
of people for Equity, Justice, and Freedom all toward the goal
of improving life for everyday people everyday.
My legislation positively impacts people of all races, ages,
sexual orientation, as well as our larger environment.
In concert with our youth, seniors, people of color
and workers, I am introducing to King County Council,
legislation to create the Martin Luther King County Green-New-Deal
Keep your eyes on this, it's going to be a beautiful plan.
For our children's sake, it is crucial we have a comprehensive
County-wide environmental policy that helps them
as well as the workers and everybody else benefit from
living in a healthier community.
I have also worked hard for affordable housing, and that is why
I want people to know that we have a 5-year plan
I want to be here for those five years to help lead the effort
to build 44,000 affordable housing in our County.
Vote for me, my name is Larry Gossett by November 5th.
Thank you very much.