Claudia Balducci: The Former Bellevue Mayor’s Vision for King County

Claudia Balducci, a prominent candidate for King County Executive, had an insightful conversation with Trae Holiday on "The Day with Trae” last week. Balducci, whose career spans decades of public service, shared her extensive background and outlined her comprehensive platform focused on improving the lives of King County residents.

Balducci's journey in public service is rooted in a deep commitment to community and extensive experience in local government. She served on the Bellevue City Council, eventually becoming mayor, before moving to the King County Council where she is now in her third term. 

Complementing her elected roles, Balducci dedicated over 25 years to working for King County, progressing from a labor analyst to directing the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention. This blend of legislative and executive experience, she believes, uniquely positions her for the county's top job. "What I love about the work… it's public service. When we do our job right, we make people's lives easier and better. And that's what motivates me to do this," she said. 

Balducci's platform centers on three critical areas: housing, transportation, and public safety. She emphasized her long-standing commitment to housing, stemming from a desire to ensure enough housing in her own neighborhood for the next generation, recognizing that her own 19-year-old kid would most likely not be able to live in the community that they grew up in. 

On transportation, she is an advocate for finishing the county’s high-capacity transit system, the light rail, and the buses. She believes that by providing affordable housing and efficient transportation, "you open up a community for everybody, it becomes less exclusive, more inclusive, more welcoming." 

On public safety, Balducci stressed the need for a comprehensive approach, including prevention and investment in human services, while also ensuring accountability for violent crime. She highlighted a stark disparity in current funding, stating that 86% of what is spent on in this system goes towards dealing with offenses, while only 14% goes to helping and supporting survivors. She is committed to balancing this to be more responsive to the people who are being harmed.

To remain connected to King County's diverse communities, Balducci actively engages with residents, planning to continue her outreach by meeting with more community groups. Balducci underscored her dedication to bringing "the voices of people who want public safety and who are crime survivors into your administration so they are heard." 

Visit claudiabalducci.com to learn more about her campaign and help inform your vote this upcoming election.

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