SEATTLE — Two candidates are vying for King County’s top role in the upcoming November election .

Girmay Zahilay is facing Claudia Balducci in hopes of becoming the King County executive, a role that oversees 18,000 employees and is tasked with balancing a multi-billion-dollar budget.

In the primary, Zahilay advanced with 44% of the votes to Balducci’s 30% of the votes.

However, on Nov. 4, Balducci is looking to swing those tallies in her favor.

“In a way, without planning it, I've spent like my whole life preparing for this job,” said Balducci, the former mayor of Bellevue.

Zahilay has raised $1.2 million in campaign contributions, with Balducci just shy at $916,000. Adding up the money raised and spent by the candidates, this is the most expensive showdown in Washington this year,

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