About Sofia

My name is Sofia Aragon.  I’m the Mayor of Burien and a citizen of King County.  As a lifelong resident, I’m the product of the diversity and challenges that the county has to offer. I want residents of District 8’s distinct communities of Burien, Capitol Hill, Chinatown International District, Downtown Seattle, First Hill, Georgetown, Little Saigon, Pioneer Square, SODO, South Park, Tukwila, Vashon & Maury Island, White Center to thrive.

 

This means making sure King County is a safe, healthy, and inclusive place where families both new and old can call home for lifetime and businesses can take root.

 

I’m able to run for office because of the opportunities available to me growing up in different parts of King County.  As a child growing up in south Seattle, I always had good healthcare thanks to my Mom’s union. In the search for affordable housing, my parents moved us to east unincorporated King County near Issaquah where I would finish high school.  A safe neighborhood and good schools for their two girls was the goal.

 

I attended local public schools, attending Seattle Public Schools, graduating from Issaquah High School and the University of Washington – Seattle.  Following in the footsteps of my mom I become a registered nurse.  After studying at Seattle U, I launched my career at a First Hill hospital and one of the best jobs I ever had was working in a community health clinic in the Rainier Valley.  Both times I chose to serve diverse patients who often spoke different languages, were immigrants or low income.

 

Nursing taught me how to be an advocate for others. I decided to step up that skill and become a lawyer to shape and develop public policy as an advocate in Olympia.  There I advocated for workplace safety, healthcare for all, and getting toxics out of the environment.

 

Strong public policy creates opportunity.  I want to serve on the council to create conditions of opportunity, where everyone has the chance to succeed with a good career, and are confident in the safety of their community.   

 

As the Mayor of Burien,

• I know representation matters.  As the first woman of color and Asian-American in the role of Mayor, I took a stand on Anti-Asian Hate

• Assured funds so that diversity, equity, and inclusion is a bedrock city business

• Supported police and fire on a co-response model so that a mental health crisis is not treated like a crime.

• Assured collaboration between the county and the city in building affordable housing

• Voted for federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars to go towards supporting our small businesses, childcare, and apprenticeships that lead to careers

• Actively explored ways to enhance public safety despite an officer shortage

• I work to end polarization on council by passing Rules of Civility so that we do the business of the city with mutual respect.

 

King County is critical to the quality of life of all residents. Having lived in communities that relied on the King County Sheriff’s office, the county is essential to public safety.  All King County communities rely on Public Health Seattle & King County. The pandemic showed gaps in the ability to respond, resulting in some communities suffering more than others.  We can and must do better. The county directs a significant share of resources to address the opioid epidemic and the mental health crisis. I want to make sure that prevention to keep people healthy, resilient and safe from substance use is part of the plan. Finally, the county is key to a strong infrastructure for housing and transportation to connect communities so that our residents get to where they need to go, and live and work where they please.

 

It will be my commitment to you as a King County Councilmember to that all King County residents have an opportunity to prosper.