Girmay H. Zahilay was sworn in Tuesday as the seventh elected King County Executive, becoming the youngest, the first millennial, the first immigrant, the first refugee, and the first resident from outside Seattle to hold the position. The inauguration, held in the King County Council chambers in Seattle, marked the first transition of county executive leadership in 16 years.

Administered by U.S. District Court Judge Richard A. Jones, the oath of office signaled a new chapter for King County government. Zahilay now leads more than 18,000 employees and serves over 2.3 million residents in the 12th largest county in the United States. He was elected earlier in November with a nearly 10-point victory.

Zahilay was joined by outgoing Executive Shannon Braddock and former Executive Dow Constan

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