Recap: Climate Forum with Seattle Mayoral and King County Executive Candidates
By Yordanos Tesfazion
Seattle and King County voters assembled at the Bitter Lake Community Center last night, October 16, 2025, for an enlightening Climate Forum with Mayoral and County Executive candidates. Before and after the forum, guests enjoyed refreshments and met our partners to learn about their work in the community.
Moderated by independent climate journalist Syris Valentine, candidates were asked a series of climate and transportation-related questions submitted by registrants before the event. Seattle Mayoral candidates Bruce Harrell and Katie Wilson spent the first half of the forum responding to constituents’ pressing inquiries. Following a short intermission, King County Executive candidate Claudia Balducci (District 6) and Toshiko Hasegawa, representing candidate Girmay Zahilay (District 2) took their seats for the second half of the forum, ready to take on more questions from our attendees.
The Climate Forum was also live streamed for those who preferred to tune in from home, and a recording is now available to watch online:
We’re thankful for the opportunity to help voters become more informed before they fill out their ballots for the November 4 election. Thank you to everyone who took the time to attend the Climate Forum, submitted questions, spread the word, and worked with us to make it happen!
This forum was a collaborative effort made possible with the support of Seattle Parks Foundation, Cascade Bicycle Club, Birds Connect Seattle, Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, and Transportation Choices Coalition.
For more answers from other candidates on the ballot, read our Seattle City Council Q&A! And don’t forget to vote by November 4.