King County Council District 7 – Saudia J Abdullah

Municipal/Other Questionnaire

Candidate Information

  • Candidate Name: Saudia J Abdullah
  • Position Sought: King County Council District 7 (Non-incumbent)
  • Home Legislative District: 30
  • Democrat: yes

Campaign Information

Part I – Candidate Background

1. Please briefly describe your qualifications, education, employment, community and civic activity, union affiliation, prior political activity, and other relevant experience.

I hold a BA in Justice Studies and Masters of Public Administration. I currently serve as the Community Corrections Division Director with the King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention. I have served on the Federal Way Ethics Board and King County Public Defenders Advisory Board. In 2020 using grant funding we supported Census Cafes, Road signs and placards, purchase of tablets to assist with census completion. In February 2021 I hosted a forum to inform women on how to get trained to run for public office. In May 2021 I hosted Washington State Redistricting Commissioner Chair in a town hall to engage with community. Throughout the year I lead voter registration and engagement events.

2. What prompted you to run for this office? What are your campaign’s most important themes, issues, or priorities (three to five)?

As a current King County employee I see the disconnect between the Council and Departments. As a community member in South King County I see the consequences of failing to provide strategic investment in this area. I am focused on the economy. Highlight the advantage of the location to new businesses. Invest in a support businesses as they recover from the impacts of the pandemic. I am focused on working with the state legislature to increase funding for student access to pre apprenticeships, vocational and technical programs. I am focused on increasing public safety by addressing police accountability. Training officers to deal with community members with behavioral health and mental health challenges.

3. What steps are you taking to run a successful campaign?

I have a team of volunteers canvasing, putting out signs. I am attending local markets and events and talking to people. I am listening to the hearts of the people in the area and what they need to thrive. I have 2 fundraisers planned for the next few weeks. We are seeking to meet with and get endorsements from organization and community leaders. We recognize that this will be a hard fought battle. I am prepared to fight and prove that this district needs invested leaders, like me.

Part II – Local Issues

1. Would you support the establishment of a safe injection site in your district?

Yes

The county must partner with local communities to identify appropriate location based on data. These sites must be coupled with other behavioral health and substance use disorder treatments to assist those struggling with addiction.

2. Would you support the administration and police force in your jurisdiction adopting a sanctuary policy, forbidding the sharing of local resources and labor with ICE?

Yes

3. Do you support raising revenue at the city level to expand transit service?

No

My concern is that smaller cities may not be able to afford to finance transit services. These are also the areas that most need public transportation.

4. Should transportation policy discourage the use of private automobiles and encourage the use of public-transit?

Yes

5. Do you support building a municipally owned and operated broadband system in your city or jurisdiction?

Yes

6. Do you support requiring police officers in your jurisdiction to wear body cameras?

Yes

7. Do you support repealing Tim Eyman’s I-747, which artificially limits property tax increases to 1% per year, regardless of population growth, inflation, and need?

Yes

8. Should government assist individuals, and families who are without sufficient food, shelter, or basic necessities through no fault of their own?

Yes

9. Should the wages paid to workers in Washington State be raised incrementally towards the goal of living wages?

Yes

10. Will you seek opportunities to mitigate the human activities that are contributing to disastrous climate change?

Yes

Part III – Free Response

1. Why are you requesting Democratic endorsement? What aspects of the Democratic platform most resonate with you?

I have been volunteering and supporting the Democratic party since I attend my 1st event at age 13th. I am committed to the principle that we are one community and must support and assist in order for us all the thrive. The principle of inclusion is important to me as black woman raising a young black man in America.

2. What important local issues have you worked on (or taken an interest in) that you feel aren’t getting enough attention from elected leaders and the media?

Redistricting is an issue that I am currently focused upon. We spent a lot of time to get people counted. It is not important that we ensure that our district lines are not gerrymandered to disrupt forward progress in this state.

3. Please list up to three specific, concrete actions you would support to ease the homelessness crisis.

1. Prevention will be important as the eviction moratoriums are set to end. Increase access to the King County Eviction Prevention and Rental Assistance Program for tenets and landlords.
2. Increase access to community shelters via funding to nonprofits and faith based community. Increase access to rapid rehousing and low barrier housing options for the chronically homeless.
3. Invest in vocational and technical training programs focusing on youth aging out of foster care system, youth involved in the CJ system and youth of incarcerated parents.

4. What are the barriers to economic prosperity faced by residents in your jurisdiction, and how do you plan to address them?

Lack of access, education and inclusion are the key barriers that people in the community are facing. By creating contracting opportunities that seek input and response from underrepresented communities. Creating learning and training opportunities for people and agencies that want to contract with the county. Support small business by streaming lining processes. Eliminate barriers to work such as high childcare cost.

5. What are the transportation/transit challenges which face this jurisdiction and how would you address them? What role does rail play in your proposed solutions?

The impact to the climate, grid locked commutes, accessibility. As we work to educe emission and have cleaner air we must continue to expand light rail. A regional plan to link unincorporated King County must also be included. Providing regular consistent users with reduced fares to increase usage. Working with employers in more urban environments to incentivize public transit or carpooling.

6. What are your jurisdiction’s environmental issues, which ones are urgent and what will you do to address them?

Human Health and Economic Impacts of Climate Change are the biggest environmental issues facing this area. Working with the County’s Strategic Climate Action Plan to continue taking action. Continuing to invest in collaboration with community partners. Working with Climate Health Action Team to address the specific needs of individuals most impacted (children, poor people, etc..)

7. Does your district have a taxing authority or propose levies and what changes, if any, would you seek?

NA

By typing my name below, I declare under penalty of perjury the foregoing is true and correct.

Printed Name: Saudia J Abdullah

Date: 05/25/2021

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